Pocket Pet · Oryctolagus cuniculus · typical adult weight 1.00–5.00 kg
Ketamine is dosed at 10–35 mg/kg IM once in rabbits, per GillettCS. Selected drug dosages and clinical reference data. In: Manning PJ, Ringler DH, Newcomer CE, eds. The Biology of the Laboratory Rabbit, 2nd ed., Academic Press, San Diego, CA; 1994:467-472. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-469235-0.50028-2 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.860 (2026-08-01).. Ketamine is used in rabbits for Sedation, anesthetic induction, Anesthetic induction. Routes documented in rabbits: IM, IV. A typical adult rabbit weighs 1.00–5.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Ketamine in rabbits, 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 | 10–35 mg/kg | once | Single dose | Sedation, anesthetic induction | Strong | GillettCS. Selected drug dosages and clinical reference data. In: Manning PJ, Ringler DH, Newcomer CE, eds. The Biology of the Laboratory Rabbit, 2nd ed., Academic Press, San Diego, CA; 1994:467-472. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-469235-0.50028-2 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.860 (2026-08-01). |
| IV | 5–15 mg/kg | once | Single induction dose | Anesthetic induction | Moderate | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed | Corroborated 2026-07-30: Luca GC et al. Vet Anaesth Analg 2020;47(3):334-340. doi:10.1016/j.vaa.2020.02.002 PMID:32222343 — rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), ketamine 5 mg/kg IV over 5 min (abstract). |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your rabbit'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 rabbits may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ketamine dose ranges in rabbits, with cited source references: IM 10–35 mg/kg once; IV 5–15 mg/kg once. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ketamine in rabbits: IM, IV.
Cited course lengths for Ketamine in rabbits include: Single dose; Single induction dose. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Ketamine is indicated in rabbits for: Sedation, anesthetic induction, Anesthetic induction.
These are general warnings for Ketamine across species; consult the rabbit 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 rabbits — 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.