Which species have cited Vitamin A dosing data?

Vitamin A dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 7 species: African Grey Parrot, Ball Python, Bearded Dragon, Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Guinea Pig, Rabbit (Domestic).

Is Vitamin A a controlled substance?

Vitamin A is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Vitamin A

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Vitamin A is dosed at 2000 IU/kg IM q7-14d x 2-4 treatments in ball pythons, per Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed, Table 4.9, p.267 — superscript 63 = Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. Corroborated by BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th ed Part B, Vitamin A, p.313: 'Reptiles: 1000-2000 IU/kg p.o. q7-14d.'. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Supplement

Routes

POIM

Indications

Chronic dietary supplementationDietary supplementationDietary vitamin A supplementationHepatic lipidosis adjuncthypovitaminosis Arespiratory infections adjunctVitamin A deficiencyVitamin A responsive dermatosisVitamin A supplementation

Mechanism of Action

Essential fat-soluble vitamin required for vision, epithelial integrity, immune function, and reproduction. Deficiency common in captive reptiles and turtles on inadequate diets.

Side effects & warnings

NARROW therapeutic index — hypervitaminosis A causes hepatotoxicity and skin sloughing. Do not overdose. Particularly important in chelonians and box turtles. Toxicity signs include skin peeling.

Species with Vitamin A dosing data (10 dose rules)

African Grey Parrot Ball Python Bearded Dragon Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)Guinea Pig Rabbit (Domestic)

Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugs All Ball Python drugs All Bearded Dragon drugs All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs All Guinea Pig drugs All Rabbit (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 10 dose rules

Moderate×6Extrapolated×2Anecdotal×2

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 4 published sources

· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed, Table 4.9 (Nutritional/Mineral/Fluid Support Used in Reptiles), p.267 — superscript 63 = Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. Corroborated by BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th ed Part B, Vitamin A, p.313: 'Reptiles: 1000-2000 IU/kg p.o. q7-14d.'
· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed, Table 4.9, p.267 — superscript 63 = Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. Corroborated by BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th ed Part B, Vitamin A, p.313: 'Reptiles: 1000-2000 IU/kg p.o. q7-14d.'
· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Sample dosing (2 of 10 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 7 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	PO	600-800 IU/kg PO daily for vitamin A responsive dermatosis (Cocker Spaniels)	q24h	Moderate	Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Cat (Domestic)	PO	200-400 IU/kg daily during hepatic lipidosis recovery	q24h	Moderate	Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Report an error in this entry

Upgrade for Full Details

Upgrade to Pro or Student to unlock the full dose ranges and frequency for every species. The drug's mechanism, warnings, indications, and cited sources are free to read.

View Plans

Calculate Dosage for Vitamin A