Reptile · Centrochelys sulcata · typical adult weight 1.00–40.00 kg
Vitamin A is dosed at 2000 IU/kg PO, SC, IM q7-14d x 2-4 treatments in sulcata tortoises, per 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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.267 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.9 (Nutritional/Mineral/Fluid Support Used in Reptiles.a). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530 — SOURCE ROW: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, corpus p.267 — "Vitamin A 2000 U/kg PO, SC, IM q7-14d x 2-4 treatments(63) — Most species/hypovitaminosis A". PO, SC and IM are all printed on this row, and it is species-general within the reptile table.. Vitamin A is used in sulcata tortoises for Hypovitaminosis A. Routes documented in sulcata tortoises: PO, SC, IM. A typical adult sulcata tortoise weighs 1.00–40.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Vitamin A in sulcata tortoises, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO, SC, IM | 2000 IU/kg | q7-14d x 2-4 treatments | Hypovitaminosis A | Weak | 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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.267 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.9 (Nutritional/Mineral/Fluid Support Used in Reptiles.a). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530 — SOURCE ROW: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, corpus p.267 — "Vitamin A 2000 U/kg PO, SC, IM q7-14d x 2-4 treatments(63) — Most species/hypovitaminosis A". PO, SC and IM are all printed on this row, and it is species-general within the reptile table. |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (iu/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000–2000 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.313 | 1000-2000 IU/kg p.o. q7-14d |
| 2000 | PO | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.8 | 2000 U/kg PO, SC, IM q7-14d × 2-4 treatments34,37 2000 U/30 g BW PO once, repeat in 7 days114,314 Most species/hypovitaminosis A Chameleons/eye swelling, respiratory disease, hemip |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
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Essential fat-soluble vitamin required for vision, epithelial integrity, immune function, and reproduction. Deficiency common in captive reptiles and turtles on inadequate diets.
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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for sulcata tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Vitamin A dose range in sulcata tortoises, with cited source references: PO, SC, IM 2000 IU/kg q7-14d x 2-4 treatments. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Vitamin A in sulcata tortoises: PO, SC, IM.
Vitamin A is indicated in sulcata tortoises for: Hypovitaminosis A.
These are general warnings for Vitamin A across species; consult the sulcata tortoise dosing table above for species-specific guidance. 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.
Why a species-specific page? Vitamin A pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in sulcata tortoises — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.