Ketamine
Also known as: Ketaset, Ketaflo, Vetalar, Ketalar, Ketaject, VetaKet, Anaestamine, Anesketin, Ketavet, Narketan-10, Vetalar-V
> **Important**: Ketamine is a controlled substance and is only administered by veterinary professionals in a clinical setting. * **Eye Care**: Your pet's eyes may remain open while under the effects of this medication. The veterinary team will apply a protective eye ointment to prevent drying and injury. * **Recovery Phase**: Keep your pet in a quiet, dimly lit environment as they recover. Minimize loud noises, sudden movements, and excessive handling to prevent startle reactions, erratic movements, or hallucinations as the drug wears off. * **What to Watch For**: Monitor for any unusual twitching, prolonged grogginess, or abnormal behavior, and report it to your veterinarian.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Anesthesia
- Anesthesia
- Anesthesia
- Camelids (llamas and alpacas) - Anesthetic
- Camelids - Procedural pain (e.g., castrations) when recumbency is desired
- Restraint
- Diagnostic or minor surgical procedures not requiring skeletal muscle relaxation
- Immobilizing agent (requiring more sedation)
- Highly aggressive cats
- NMDA antagonist for adjunctive pain control (mild to moderate pain)
- Intraoperative use (if anesthesia induced with drug other than ketamine)
- In combination with opioids or lidocaine
- MLK (morphine/lidocaine/ketamine) mixture
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Hypertension
- Hypersalivation
- Respiratory depression (at high doses or rapid IV administration)
- Hyperthermia (especially in cats)
- Emesis
- Vocalization
- Erratic and prolonged recovery (emergence delirium)
- Dyspnea
- Spastic jerking movements and muscular tremors
- Seizures (up to 20% of cats at therapeutic doses)
- Hypertonicity and opisthotonos
- Cardiac arrest
- Pain after IM injection
- Eyes remain open (risk of corneal drying/ulceration)
Cautions & contraindications
- Prior hypersensitivity reactions to ketamine
- Animals intended for human consumption
- Use as a sole agent for major surgery (due to poor muscle relaxation and visceral analgesia)
- Increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure or head trauma
- Significant hypertension, heart failure, or arterial aneurysms
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats
- Increased intra-ocular pressure or open globe injuries (relative)
- Procedures involving the pharynx, larynx, or trachea (relative)
- Preexisting seizure disorders (use with extreme caution)
- Animals whose eyes are at risk of perforation
- Raised intraocular pressure (IOP)
- Raised intracranial pressure (ICP)
Drug interactions
- Chloramphenicol (parenteral): May prolong the anesthetic actions of ketamine
- CNS Depressants (Narcotics, barbiturates, diazepam): May prolong the recovery time after ketamine anesthesia
- Halothane: Recovery rates may be prolonged and the cardiac stimulatory effects of ketamine may be inhibited; close monitoring of cardiac status is recommended
- Ivermectin: Recommended not to use ivermectin in reptiles within 10 days of ketamine
- Neuromuscular blockers (e.g., succinylcholine, tubocurarine): May cause enhanced or prolonged respiratory depression
- Thyroid hormones: May induce severe hypertension and tachycardia; beta-blockers may be of benefit in treating these effects
- Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists (e.g., medetomidine, dexmedetomidine): Synergistic anaesthesia and prevention of muscle hypertonicity. Reversal of the alpha-2 agonist must be delayed until 45 minutes after ketamine administration to prevent unopposed ketamine excitation.
- Benzodiazepines: Synergistic anaesthesia and prevention of ketamine-induced skeletal muscle hypertonicity.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ketamine used for in pets?
> **Important**: Ketamine is a controlled substance and is only administered by veterinary professionals in a clinical setting. * **Eye Care**: Your pet's eyes may remain open while under the effects of this medication. The veterinary team will apply a protective eye ointment to prevent drying and injury. * **Recovery Phase**: Keep your pet in a quiet, dimly lit environment as they recover. Minimize loud noises, sudden movements, and excessive handling to prevent startle reactions, erratic movements, or hallucinations as the drug wears off. * **What to Watch For**: Monitor for any unusual twitching, prolonged grogginess, or abnormal behavior, and report it to your veterinarian.
Is Ketamine safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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