Vatinoxan, an alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist, presents a promising addition to sedation protocols using alpha-2 adrenergic agonists since it has been shown to poorly cross the blood-brain barrier in some mammal species. This limits its reversal of receptors within the central nervous system, while mitigating the unwanted cardiovascular effects such as bradycardia and decreased cardiac output. Our objective was to assess the efficacy, safety, and cardiovascular impact of vatinoxan in pond sliders (Trachemys scripta). Through a blinded, randomized, crossover study, 10 healthy wild adult pond sliders were sedated with either medetomidine and ketamine (MK; 0.2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg respectively), dexmedetomidine and ketamine (DK; 0.1 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg respectively), or medetomidine-vatinoxan and ketamine (MVK; 0.2 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg, and 10 mg/kg respectively). Sedation scores, heart rates, and respiratory rates were monitored every 5 to 10 minutes over a 2-hour sedation period. All individuals were reversed with atipamezole at the 2-hour mark. Turtles sedated with vatinoxan exhibited lower sedation scores, had a shorter duration of sedation (p < 0.02), and recovered more quickly (p < 0.002) compared to those without vatinoxan. Notably, vatinoxan did not appear to alleviate the cardiovascular side effects of medetomidine, as there was no difference in heart rates between groups for the first 80 minutes post-injection. Our findings show that the use of medetomidine-vatinoxan-ketamine provided mild and unreliable sedation in pond sliders and may not be clinically advisable at this dose. Further investigation in chelonians is warranted.