Reptile · Eublepharis macularius · typical adult weight 0.04–0.10 kg
Ketamine is dosed at 10 mg/kg IM/SC single dose (combination protocol) in leopard geckos, per 18. Fink DM, Doss GA, Sladky KK, et al. Effect of injection site on dexmedetomidine-ketamine induced sedation in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2017;in press. — Mined from Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.550 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Ketamine is used in leopard geckos for Light anaesthesia (with dexmedetomidine 0.1 mg/kg), Sedation. Routes documented in leopard geckos: IM/SC, SC, IM. A typical adult leopard gecko weighs 0.04–0.10 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Ketamine in leopard geckos, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Ketaset, Vetalar
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM/SC | 10 mg/kg | single dose (combination protocol) | Light anaesthesia (with dexmedetomidine 0.1 mg/kg) | Weak | 18. Fink DM, Doss GA, Sladky KK, et al. Effect of injection site on dexmedetomidine-ketamine induced sedation in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2017;in press. — Mined from Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.550 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
| SC, IM | 30–50 mg/kg | single dose (frequency not stated) | Sedation | Weak | 33. Boyer TH. Clinical anesthesia of reptiles. Bull Assoc Rept Amph Vet. 1992;2:10-13. — Mined from Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1410 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your leopard gecko'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 leopard geckos may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ketamine dose ranges in leopard geckos, with cited source references: IM/SC 10 mg/kg single dose (combination protocol); SC, IM 30–50 mg/kg single dose (frequency not stated). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ketamine in leopard geckos: IM/SC, SC, IM.
Ketamine is indicated in leopard geckos for: Light anaesthesia (with dexmedetomidine 0.1 mg/kg), Sedation.
These are general warnings for Ketamine across species; consult the leopard gecko 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 leopard geckos — 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.