Bird · Psittacus erithacus · typical adult weight 0.40–0.65 kg
Ketamine is dosed at 10–30 mg/kg IM once in african grey parrots, per Doneley B. Avian Medicine and Surgery in Practice: Companion and Aviary Birds, 2nd ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL; 2016.; Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.451 (2026-08-01). — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9781455746712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781455746712. Ketamine is used in african grey parrots for Sedation, anesthetic induction, Chemical restraint (30-60 min) - seldom used as sole agent (poor muscle relaxation, prolonged violent recovery). Routes documented in african grey parrots: IM, IV. A typical adult african grey parrot weighs 0.40–0.65 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Ketamine in african grey parrots, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Ketaset, Vetalar
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 10–30 mg/kg | once | Single dose | Sedation, anesthetic induction | Moderate | Doneley B. Avian Medicine and Surgery in Practice: Companion and Aviary Birds, 2nd ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL; 2016.; Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.451 (2026-08-01). — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9781455746712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781455746712 |
| IV | 10–50 mg/kg | once; restraint 30-60 min | Single dose | Chemical restraint (30-60 min) - seldom used as sole agent (poor muscle relaxation, prolonged violent recovery) | Moderate | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed, Table 5.5 (corpus PDF pp.447-450); located 2026-08-06 by chapter-governed table: this table is in the chapter covering this species and names this drug. NOTE: the served figure was matched against the table as a whole, not against this drug's own row, so confirm the number on the page before relying on it. The held copy has no printed page numbers, so the numbered table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your african grey parrot's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
NMDA receptor antagonist producing dissociative anesthesia. Provides somatic analgesia, amnesia, and catalepsy while maintaining pharyngeal reflexes.
Increases intracranial and intraocular pressure. Causes increased salivation (premedicate with anticholinergic). Eyes remain open under anesthesia — use lubricant. Do NOT use alone in dogs/cats (muscle rigidity) — combine with a sedative.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for african grey parrots may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ketamine dose ranges in african grey parrots, with cited source references: IM 10–30 mg/kg once; IV 10–50 mg/kg once; restraint 30-60 min. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ketamine in african grey parrots: IM, IV.
Cited course lengths for Ketamine in african grey parrots include: Single dose. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Ketamine is indicated in african grey parrots for: Sedation, anesthetic induction, Chemical restraint (30-60 min) - seldom used as sole agent (poor muscle relaxation, prolonged violent recovery).
These are general warnings for Ketamine across species; consult the african grey parrot dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Increases intracranial and intraocular pressure. Causes increased salivation (premedicate with anticholinergic). Eyes remain open under anesthesia — use lubricant. Do NOT use alone in dogs/cats (muscle rigidity) — combine with a sedative.
Why a species-specific page? Ketamine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in african grey parrots — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.