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 Browning GR, Eshar D, Beaufrère H. Comparison of dexmedetomidine-ketamine-midazolam and isoflurane for anesthesia of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2019;58:50-57. doi:10.30802/aalas-jaalas-18-000001 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.785 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — CORROBORATED 2026-08-06 by independent literature: Comparison of the effects of a dexmedetomidine-ketamine-midazolam anesthetic protocol versus isoflurane inhalation anesthesia on echocardiography variables and plasma cardiac tropo (American journal of veterinary research, 2019). doi:10.2460/ajvr.80.12.1114. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.80.12.1114. The paper reports this drug at this dose in this species: "xually intact male captive BTPDs. Procedures Each BTPD was randomly assigned to be anesthetized by […]". This is a second source alongside the book already cited; it corroborates the figure and does not by itself establish that the dose is correct. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. 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.
US trade names: Ketaset, Vetalar
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 40 mg/kg | not specified | Anesthesia induction (DKM protocol) | Weak | Browning GR, Eshar D, Beaufrère H. Comparison of dexmedetomidine-ketamine-midazolam and isoflurane for anesthesia of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2019;58:50-57. doi:10.30802/aalas-jaalas-18-000001 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.785 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.3 (Chemical Restraint/Anesthetic Agents Used in Rodents). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — CORROBORATED 2026-08-06 by independent literature: Comparison of the effects of a dexmedetomidine-ketamine-midazolam anesthetic protocol versus isoflurane inhalation anesthesia on echocardiography variables and plasma cardiac tropo (American journal of veterinary research, 2019). doi:10.2460/ajvr.80.12.1114. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.80.12.1114. The paper reports this drug at this dose in this species: "xually intact male captive BTPDs. Procedures Each BTPD was randomly assigned to be anesthetized by […]". This is a second source alongside the book already cited; it corroborates the figure and does not by itself establish that the dose is correct. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, |
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.
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 prairie dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ketamine dose ranges in prairie dogs, with cited source references: IM 40 mg/kg not specified; IM 30 mg/kg not specified. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ketamine in prairie dogs: IM.
Ketamine is indicated in prairie dogs for: Anesthesia induction (DKM protocol), General anesthesia (as part of alfaxalone-ketamine-midazolam [AKM] combination).
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.
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.
| IM | 30 mg/kg | not specified | General anesthesia (as part of alfaxalone-ketamine-midazolam [AKM] combination) | Weak | Verified against Quesenberry et al., Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents, 4th Ed, p.352 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.352' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.340; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.340. — SOURCE EDITION: Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350 |