Reptile · Python regius · typical adult weight 1.00–2.00 kg
Vitamin D is dosed at 1000 IU/kg IM repeat in 1 wk in ball pythons, 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.268 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Vitamin D is used in ball pythons for Vitamin D3 deficiency / nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism. Routes documented in ball pythons: IM. A typical adult ball python weighs 1.00–2.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Vitamin D in ball pythons, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Calcitriol, Cholecalciferol
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 1000 IU/kg | repeat in 1 wk | Vitamin D3 deficiency / nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism | 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.268 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your ball python's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Active form (calcitriol) binds VDR promoting intestinal calcium and phosphorus absorption, bone mineralization, and parathyroid hormone regulation.
Calcitriol: used for renal secondary hyperparathyroidism and hypoparathyroidism. Narrow therapeutic index — hypercalcemia risk. Monitor ionized calcium frequently. Do not confuse calcitriol with cholecalciferol.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for ball pythons may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Vitamin D dose range in ball pythons, with cited source references: IM 1000 IU/kg repeat in 1 wk. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Vitamin D in ball pythons: IM.
Vitamin D is indicated in ball pythons for: Vitamin D3 deficiency / nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism.
These are general warnings for Vitamin D across species; consult the ball python dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Calcitriol: used for renal secondary hyperparathyroidism and hypoparathyroidism. Narrow therapeutic index — hypercalcemia risk. Monitor ionized calcium frequently. Do not confuse calcitriol with cholecalciferol.
Why a species-specific page? Vitamin D pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in ball pythons — 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.