Reptile · Python regius · typical adult weight 1.00–2.00 kg
Xylazine is dosed at 0.1–1.25 mg/kg IM, IV once (preanesthetic) 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.250 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Xylazine is used in ball pythons for Preanesthetic for ketamine. Routes documented in ball pythons: IM, IV. A typical adult ball python weighs 1.00–2.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Xylazine in ball pythons, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Rompun, AnaSed
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM, IV | 0.1–1.25 mg/kg | once (preanesthetic) | Preanesthetic for ketamine | 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.250 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
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.
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist causing dose-dependent sedation, analgesia, and muscle relaxation. Also activates peripheral alpha-2 receptors causing vasoconstriction and bradycardia.
Profound bradycardia and vomiting (especially cats). Cats more sensitive than dogs. Reversible with atipamezole or yohimbine. Avoid in horses with colic (ileus). 100mg/ml for large animals only.
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.
Xylazine dose range in ball pythons, with cited source references: IM, IV 0.1–1.25 mg/kg once (preanesthetic). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Xylazine in ball pythons: IM, IV.
Xylazine is indicated in ball pythons for: Preanesthetic for ketamine.
These are general warnings for Xylazine across species; consult the ball python dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Profound bradycardia and vomiting (especially cats). Cats more sensitive than dogs. Reversible with atipamezole or yohimbine. Avoid in horses with colic (ileus). 100mg/ml for large animals only.
Why a species-specific page? Xylazine 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.