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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.267 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). 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. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.267 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your sulcata tortoise's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
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.