Reptile · Testudo horsfieldii · typical adult weight 0.23–0.91 kg
Vitamin D is dosed at 1000 U/kg IM repeat in 1 wk in russian tortoises, per 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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.268 — 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. Vitamin D is used in russian tortoises for Vitamin D3 deficiency / nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism. Routes documented in russian tortoises: IM. A typical adult russian tortoise weighs 0.23–0.91 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Vitamin D in russian tortoises, 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 U/kg | repeat in 1 wk | Vitamin D3 deficiency / nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism | Weak | 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. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.268 — 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 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (%) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 | PO | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 128.6 | 2-3 U/mL continuous bath (with 2.3% calcium gluconate)52 100-400 U/kg PO q24h52 Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism |
| Dose (iu/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200–1000 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.318 | 200-1000 IU/kg p.o., i.m. q7d. Oral administration may be safer than i.m. |
| 1000 | PO | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 127.8 | 1000 U/kg IM, repeat in 1 wk37 Most species/deficiency; use with oral calcium glubionate and carbonate, general dietary management, and UVB irradiation |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your russian tortoise'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 russian tortoises may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Vitamin D dose range in russian tortoises, with cited source references: IM 1000 U/kg repeat in 1 wk. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Vitamin D in russian tortoises: IM.
Vitamin D is indicated in russian tortoises for: Vitamin D3 deficiency / nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism.
These are general warnings for Vitamin D across species; consult the russian tortoise 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 russian 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.
| 100–400 | PO | Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edTable 128.6 | 2-3 U/mL continuous bath (with 2.3% calcium gluconate)52 100-400 U/kg PO q24h52 Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism |
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.