Exotic Animal Formulary5

Levothyroxine
0.02 mg/kg PO
q48h 132
Geckos/post-thyroidectomy, lifetime management
0.02 mg/kg PO
q48h 290
0.025 mg/kg q24h
in AM 101
Tortoises/hypothyroidism; stimulates feeding in
debilitated tortoises
Tortoises/monitor T 4 levels
Methylprednisolone 1 mg/kg IV q24h 177 Chelonians/ivermectin toxicity
Nandrolone (Deca-
Durabolin,
Orgamon)
0.5-5 mg/kg IM q7-
28d 149
Most species/hepatic lipidosis
1 mg/kg IM q7-28d 78 Lizards/anabolic steroid; reduces protein
catabolism; may stimulate erythropoiesis
Oxytocin — Dystocias; results are variable; works well in
chelonians, less so in snakes and lizards;
generally administer 1 hr after Ca
administration; use multiple doses with
caution
1-10 U/kg IM 90,117 Most species/higher end of the range is
commonly used; may be repeated up to 3
treatments at 90 min intervals with
increasing dosage 164
2 U/kg IM q4-6h×1-
3 treatments 11 Most species
1-5 U/kg IM, 76
repeat in 1 hr
1-2, 36 2-20, 254 or 10-
20 35 U/kg IM
1-20 U/kg IM
q90min×3
treatments at
increased doses,
or 50%-100%
first dose 1-12 hr
later, or IO
drip 373
Lizards/alternatively, 5 U/kg by slow IV or IO
over 4-8 hr 76
Chelonians
Chelonians
2 U/kg IV q2h 74 Red-eared sliders/faster onset vs IM; fewer
animals required second or third doses vs IM
route
Prednisolone 2-5 mg/kg PO, IM 217 Most species/analgesia (chronic pain)
0.5 mg/kg
q24h×14 days,
then q48h until
Lizards/autoimmune hemolytic anemia
162