Pocket Pet · Mus musculus · typical adult weight 0.02–0.04 kg
Ketamine is dosed at 22–44 mg/kg IM once in mice, per 130. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.784. Ketamine is used in mice for Sedation, Anesthesia for minor procedures, Injectable general anaesthesia (with xylazine). Routes documented in mice: IM, IP. A typical adult mouse weighs 0.02–0.04 kg. ExoticRx lists 3 cited dose rules for Ketamine in mice, 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 | 22–44 mg/kg | once | — | Sedation | Moderate | 130. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.784Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| IP | 40–75 mg/kg | once, combined with medetomidine 1 mg/kg IP | Single induction | Anesthesia for minor procedures | Moderate | Cruz JI, Loste JM, Burzaco OH. Observations on the use of medetomidine/ketamine and its reversal with atipamezole for chemical restraint in the mouse. Lab Anim. 1998;32:18-22. doi:10.1258/002367798780559383 — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents), ref 32. |
| IP | 100 mg/kg | single induction dose, combined with xylazine | — | Injectable general anaesthesia (with xylazine) | Moderate | Beecy S, Meuse D, Kizielewicz N, Beale C, Molk D. Optimization of Ketamine/Xylazine Anesthesia in Geriatric Mice. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2025;64(4):778-787. doi:10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-25-010. PMID 40683626. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12530262/ |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22–44 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 9.3 | 22-44 mg/kg IM |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
Typical range: 20–40 g
If provided, volume will be calculated alongside dose.
Reference only. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
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 mice may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ketamine dose ranges in mice, with cited source references: IM 22–44 mg/kg once; IP 40–75 mg/kg once, combined with medetomidine 1 mg/kg IP; IP 100 mg/kg single induction dose, combined with xylazine. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ketamine in mice: IM, IP.
Cited course lengths for Ketamine in mice include: Single induction. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Ketamine is indicated in mice for: Sedation, Anesthesia for minor procedures, Injectable general anaesthesia (with xylazine).
These are general warnings for Ketamine across species; consult the mouse 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 mice — 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.