Ketamine for Prairie Dogs
Pocket Pet · Cynomys ludovicianus · typical adult weight 0.70–1.68 kg
Ketamine is dosed at 40 mg/kg IM not specified in prairie dogs, per Comparison of Dexmedetomidine-Ketamine-Midazolam and Isoflurane for Anesthesia of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci (JAALAS). DOI: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-18-000001; PMID: 30396377; PMCID: PMC6351049. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6351049/. Ketamine is used in prairie dogs for Anesthesia induction (DKM protocol), General anesthesia (as part of alfaxalone-ketamine-midazolam [AKM] combination). Routes documented in prairie dogs: IM. A typical adult prairie dog weighs 0.70–1.68 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Ketamine in prairie dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Ketaset, Vetalar
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 40 mg/kg | not specified | Anesthesia induction (DKM protocol) | Weak | Comparison of Dexmedetomidine-Ketamine-Midazolam and Isoflurane for Anesthesia of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci (JAALAS). DOI: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-18-000001; PMID: 30396377; PMCID: PMC6351049. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6351049/ |
| IM | 30 mg/kg | not specified | General anesthesia (as part of alfaxalone-ketamine-midazolam [AKM] combination) | Weak | Anesthetic effects of alfaxalone-ketamine-midazolam and alfaxalone-ketamine-dexmedetomidine administered intramuscularly in black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). Am J Vet Res. 2022;83(9). doi:10.2460/ajvr.21.11.0193. PMID: 35895768. URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35895768/ |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your prairie dog's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Mechanism of action
NMDA receptor antagonist producing dissociative anesthesia. Provides somatic analgesia, amnesia, and catalepsy while maintaining pharyngeal reflexes.
Side effects & warnings
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 prairie dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Frequently asked questions
What is the dose of Ketamine for Prairie Dogs?
Ketamine dose ranges in prairie dogs, with cited source references: IM 40 mg/kg not specified; IM 30 mg/kg not specified.
How is Ketamine administered in Prairie Dogs?
Documented routes for Ketamine in prairie dogs: IM.
What conditions does Ketamine treat in Prairie Dogs?
Ketamine is indicated in prairie dogs for: Anesthesia induction (DKM protocol), General anesthesia (as part of alfaxalone-ketamine-midazolam [AKM] combination).
What are the side effects of Ketamine in Prairie Dogs?
These are general warnings for Ketamine across species; consult the prairie dog 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.
Other Anesthetic drugs with prairie dog dosing
Ketamine dosing in other species
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 prairie dogs — 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.