What routes can Vitamin B Complex be administered by?

Available routes: PO, SC, IM, IV.

Is Vitamin B Complex a controlled substance?

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

Vitamin B Complex

Calculate dosage

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

Vitamin B Complex is dosed at 0.3 mL/kg SC, IM q24h in bearded dragons, per Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.268, Table (Vitamins/nutritional agents used in reptiles), Vitamin B complex row; superscript 63 resolves to 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 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.9 (Nutritional/Mineral/Fluid Support Used in Reptiles.a). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Supplement

Routes

POSCIMIV

Indications

AnorexiaAppetite stimulantB-vitamin supplementationCKDCNS signsDietary supplementationhypovitaminosis Bnutritional supportNutritional support in hospitalized patientsparalysis of unknown origin

Mechanism of Action

Cofactors in numerous metabolic pathways. Thiamine (B1) essential for neurological function, B12 for erythropoiesis and methylation. Supports appetite and energy metabolism.

Side effects & warnings

Generally very safe. IV injection may cause transient hypotension or anaphylactoid reaction (rare). Thiamine (B1) deficiency in reptiles and fish fed frozen/thawed prey containing thiaminase.

Species with Vitamin B Complex dosing data (13 dose rules)

African Pygmy Hedgehog Ball Python Bearded Dragon Blue-tongue Skink Cat (Domestic)Crested Gecko Dog (Domestic)Dwarf Hamster Gerbil Sugar Glider

Species references:All African Pygmy Hedgehog drugs All Ball Python drugs All Bearded Dragon drugs All Blue-tongue Skink drugs

Evidence levels across 13 dose rules

Weak×6Moderate×5Anecdotal×2

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

Sample dosing (2 of 13 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 10 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)	IV	1–4 mL/animal	q24h; 1 mL <=15 kg, 2-4 mL >15 kg	Moderate	Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed NO SUPPORTING MONOGRAPH IN THIS BOOK — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed carries no Vitamin B Complex monograph; the held copy has single-vitamin monographs only (Cobalamin printed p.304-306, Thiamine printed p.1223-1224).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
Cat (Domestic)	IM	1 ml/cat	q24h or as required	Moderate	Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed NO SUPPORTING MONOGRAPH IN THIS BOOK — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed carries no Vitamin B Complex monograph; the held copy has single-vitamin monographs only (Cobalamin printed p.304-306, Thiamine printed p.1223-1224).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

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Backed by 9 published sourcesShow

· 122. Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.803 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents).
· 33. Johnson-Delaney C. Exotic Companion Medicine Handbook for Veterinarians, Zoological Education Network, Lake Worth, FL; 2008. | 52. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW, et al. Formulary. In: Quesenberry Q, Orcutt C, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.745
· BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed, Part A (Canine and Feline), Vitamin B complex, DOSES, printed p.427 - "Dogs: 1 ml/dog (dogs up to 15 kg), 2-4 ml/dog (dogs >15 kg) s.c., i.m., i.v. q24h." Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook 10th ed carries NO Vitamin B Complex monograph and is not a source for this rule.

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View Plans

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When to assist-feed an anorexic reptile, what slurry to use, what tube size and route, and the metabolic considerations (refeeding syndrome, fluid status, temperature) that decide whether the patient survives the intervention.

Calculate Dosage for Vitamin B Complex