Miscellaneous Drugs for Reptiles
Drug | Dosage | Condition |
|---|---|---|
Allopurinol | 10–50 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h | Gout, decreases uric acid production |
Aluminium hydroxide | 100 mg/kg, PO, q 12–24 h | Decreases phosphorus absorption and may lower blood phosphorus levels |
Aminophylline | 2–4 mg/kg, IM | Respiratory disease when bronchodilation required |
Arginine vasotocin | 0.01–1 mcg/kg, IV | Egg binding (more potent than oxytocin) |
Calcitonin | 1.5 U/kg, SC, q 8 h 50 units/kg, IM, repeat q 1–2 wk for 3 treatments | Hypercalcemia, fluid therapy also recommended Secondary hyperparathyroidism. Do not give unless normocalcemic. |
Calcium gluconate (10 mg/mL) | 100 mg/kg, IM, q 6 h, or 400 mg/kg, IV, intraosseous, given over 24 h PO as needed | Hypocalcemia in iguanas; high phosphorus concentration may cause soft tissue mineralization. |
Calcium carbonate | PO as needed | Dietary supplement to correct Ca:P imbalances for herbivores, omnivores, and insectivores |
Cimetidine | 4 mg/kg, PO, q 8–12 h | Regurgitation, vomiting, gastritis, GI ulceration |
Cisapride | 0.5–2 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h | GI motility modification; not recommended to use with clarithromycin in tortoises |
Dexamethasone | 0.3–1.5 mg/kg, IM, IV, intraosseous | Inflammation, shock, beware of immunosuppression, rarely indicated |
Dinoprost (prostaglandin) | 0.5 mg/kg, IM or per cloaca, once | Nonobstructive dystocia, typically used in combination with oxytocin or vasotocin |
Ketoprofen | 2 mg/kg, SC, IM, q 24–48 h | Inflammation, pain |
Furosemide | 2–5 mg/kg, IM, IV, q 12–24 h | Diuresis (effective despite lack of loop of Henle in reptiles) |
Iodine | 2–4 mg/kg, PO, q 7 d | Prophylaxis for goitrogenic diets |
Iron | 12 mg/kg, IM, q 7 d (alligators) | Anemia in alligators |
Metoclopramide | 1–10 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h for 7 d | Unproven efficacy |
Prednisolone | 1–5 mg/kg, PO | Anti-inflammatory,decreased nephrocalcinosis, beware of immunosuppression, rarely indicated |
Selenium | 0.028 mg/kg, IM | Deficiency in lizards |
Sucralfate | 500–1000 mg/kg, PO, q 8–24 h | Gastric irritation/ulceration |
Thiamine | 50–100 mg/kg, IM | Thiamine deficiency |
Vitamin A | 5,000 units/kg, PO, q 7 d | Hypovitaminosis A (iatrogenic hypervitaminosis A may result from repeated treatment) |