Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know the PROPER dose of Cephelaxin(sp) to give to an adult boa??

Thanks, Terry

Terry,
Cephalexin is a 1st generation oral cephalosporin antibiotic which means it has a limited spectrum of activity, being most effective against only gram positive bacterial infections. Most serious reptile bacterial infections are usually caused by gram negative species. It also has a shorter than normal half-life in the body. There are several other antibiotics that would be more effective in most cases. If you are set on using it, I do not know the exact dosage in reptiles, but it is administered at higher doses in mammals than other 1st generation cephalosporins which are usually given in reptiles at 10 to 20 mg per kg every 48 hours. I would definitely consult a good reptile vet on its effective use and recommended dosage in boas.

Kelly

>>Terry,
>>Cephalexin is a 1st generation oral cephalosporin antibiotic which means it has a limited spectrum of activity, being most effective against only gram positive bacterial infections. Most serious reptile bacterial infections are usually caused by gram negative species. It also has a shorter than normal half-life in the body. There are several other antibiotics that would be more effective in most cases. If you are set on using it, I do not know the exact dosage in reptiles, but it is administered at higher doses in mammals than other 1st generation cephalosporins which are usually given in reptiles at 10 to 20 mg per kg every 48 hours. I would definitely consult a good reptile vet on its effective use and recommended dosage in boas.
>>
>>Kelly

.. top notch info.. Thanks for posting.
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Gus
A. Rentfro
RioBravoReptiles.com
www.riobravoreptiles.com

"Perfectly healthy animals are a minimum requirement.. everything else is just salesmanship" gus

>>Terry,
>>Cephalexin is a 1st generation oral cephalosporin antibiotic which means it has a limited spectrum of activity, being most effective against only gram positive bacterial infections. Most serious reptile bacterial infections are usually caused by gram negative species. It also has a shorter than normal half-life in the body. There are several other antibiotics that would be more effective in most cases. If you are set on using it, I do not know the exact dosage in reptiles, but it is administered at higher doses in mammals than other 1st generation cephalosporins which are usually given in reptiles at 10 to 20 mg per kg every 48 hours. I would definitely consult a good reptile vet on its effective use and recommended dosage in boas.
>>
>>Kelly

D. Mader "Reptile Medicine and Surgery" pg 1120 table 89-1, Reptile Formulary....20-40 mg/kg Orally every 12 hrs.

Sounds like you know your meds.
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Sunset BCI

That is pretty much why the third-generation cephalosporin ceftazidime (Fortaz) is used as extensively as it is in reptile medicine.