ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/ketamine-injectable
US brand names:Ketaset, VetaKet
Ketamine Injectable is dosed at 20–60 mg/kg IM IM once in ball pythons, per Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.241 (2026-08-01). — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
NMDA receptor antagonist producing dissociative anesthesia. Maintains pharyngeal reflexes and respiratory drive. Analgesic at sub-anesthetic doses.
DEA Schedule III. Eyes remain open (lubricate). Combine with benzodiazepine or alpha-2 agonist (reduces dose, improves recovery). Cats: recovery dysphoria. Widely used in exotics.
Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugsAll Ball Python drugsAll Bearded Dragon drugsAll Guinea Pig drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugs
Controlled substance in the US
Controlled-drug status and schedules differ by country — check your local scheduling rules.
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