Reptile · Python regius · typical adult weight 1.00–2.00 kg
Vitamin K1 is dosed at 0.25–0.5 mg/kg IM q24h in ball pythons, per Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed. (2023), Table 4.9, corpus p.268 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.9 (Nutritional/Mineral/Fluid Support Used in Reptiles.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 | Frequency source, previously uncited: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th ed Part B - Exotic Pets, Vitamin K1 (Phytomenadione), printed p.306: "Reptiles: 0.5 mg/kg i.m. q24h." carpenter Table 4.9 prints "Vitamin K1 | 0.25-0.5 mg/kg IM63 | Most species/hypovitaminosis K1, coagulopathies" with NO interval, and mader Table 127.6 (ref 63 followed to its own chapter) prints the identical figure, also with no interval.. Vitamin K1 is used in ball pythons for Coagulopathy from rodenticide-fed prey. 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 K1 in ball pythons, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Mephyton, AquaMEPHYTON, Veta-K1
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.25–0.5 mg/kg | q24h |
| Variable |
| Coagulopathy from rodenticide-fed prey |
| Weak |
| Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed. (2023), Table 4.9, corpus p.268 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.9 (Nutritional/Mineral/Fluid Support Used in Reptiles.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 | Frequency source, previously uncited: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th ed Part B - Exotic Pets, Vitamin K1 (Phytomenadione), printed p.306: "Reptiles: 0.5 mg/kg i.m. q24h." carpenter Table 4.9 prints "Vitamin K1 | 0.25-0.5 mg/kg IM63 | Most species/hypovitaminosis K1, coagulopathies" with NO interval, and mader Table 127.6 (ref 63 followed to its own chapter) prints the identical figure, also with no interval. |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | IM | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.320 | 0.5 mg/kg i.m. q24h |
| 0.25–0.5 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 4.9 | 0.25-0.5 mg/kg IM |
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 cofactor for hepatic carboxylation of clotting factors II, VII, IX, X. Reverses vitamin K-dependent coagulopathy from anticoagulant rodenticides.
Give PO with fatty food (fat-soluble). SC preferred over IM (hematoma risk) or IV (anaphylaxis risk). Long-acting rodenticides (brodifacoum) require 4-6 weeks treatment. Monitor PT.
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 K1 dose range in ball pythons, with cited source references: IM 0.25–0.5 mg/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Vitamin K1 in ball pythons: IM.
Cited course lengths for Vitamin K1 in ball pythons include: Variable. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Vitamin K1 is indicated in ball pythons for: Coagulopathy from rodenticide-fed prey.
These are general warnings for Vitamin K1 across species; consult the ball python dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Give PO with fatty food (fat-soluble). SC preferred over IM (hematoma risk) or IV (anaphylaxis risk). Long-acting rodenticides (brodifacoum) require 4-6 weeks treatment. Monitor PT.
Why a species-specific page? Vitamin K1 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.