Equine · Equus caballus · typical adult weight 350.00–700.00 kg
Ketamine is dosed at 2.2 mg/kg IV single dose after sedation in horses, per Abrahamsen EJ. Equine Field Anesthesia I. Presented at: Western Veterinary Conference; 2007. doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-0270-3.50008-7 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.748 (2026-08-01).. Ketamine is used in horses for Induction of general anesthesia. Routes documented in horses: IV. A typical adult horse weighs 350.00–700.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Ketamine in horses, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Ketaset, Vetalar
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 2.2 mg/kg | single dose after sedation | Induction of general anesthesia | Strong | Abrahamsen EJ. Equine Field Anesthesia I. Presented at: Western Veterinary Conference; 2007. doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-0270-3.50008-7 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.748 (2026-08-01). |
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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 horses may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ketamine dose range in horses, with cited source references: IV 2.2 mg/kg single dose after sedation. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ketamine in horses: IV.
Ketamine is indicated in horses for: Induction of general anesthesia.
These are general warnings for Ketamine across species; consult the horse 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 horses — 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.