Livestock · Capra aegagrus hircus · typical adult weight 20.00–100.00 kg
Ketamine is dosed at 2–4 mg/kg IV single dose after sedation in goats, per Rings D. Anesthesia and Surgical Procedures for Small Ruminants I & II. Presented at: Western Veterinary Conference; 2005. Distributed by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. PMID: 2983894 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.627 (2026-08-01).. Ketamine is used in goats for Induction of general anesthesia, Short-duration anesthesia. Routes documented in goats: IV. A typical adult goat weighs 20.00–100.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Ketamine in goats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Ketaset, Vetalar
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 2–4 mg/kg | single dose after sedation | — | Induction of general anesthesia | Strong | Rings D. Anesthesia and Surgical Procedures for Small Ruminants I & II. Presented at: Western Veterinary Conference; 2005. Distributed by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. PMID: 2983894 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.627 (2026-08-01). |
| IV | 2–4 mg/kg | As needed | Single dose; 10-20 min | Short-duration anesthesia | Moderate | Rings D. Anesthesia and Surgical Procedures for Small Ruminants I & II. Presented at: Western Veterinary Conference; 2005. Distributed by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. PMID: 2983894 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.627 (2026-08-01). |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your goat'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 goats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ketamine dose ranges in goats, with cited source references: IV 2–4 mg/kg single dose after sedation; IV 2–4 mg/kg As needed. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ketamine in goats: IV.
Cited course lengths for Ketamine in goats include: Single dose; 10-20 min. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Ketamine is indicated in goats for: Induction of general anesthesia, Short-duration anesthesia.
These are general warnings for Ketamine across species; consult the goat 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 goats — 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.