POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Anesketin 100 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs, Cats and Horses

Active ingredient: Ketamine

Form

Injection

Species

Cats Dogs Horses

Manufacturer

Eurovet Animal Health B.V.

VMD MA No.

16849/3002

What it's used for

To be used to induce anaesthesia: a) in combination with butorphanol and medetomidine in the dog and cat, b) in combination with xylazine in the horse, dog...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

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1

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2

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Prescription required

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Clinical information

Anesketin 100 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs, Cats and Horses — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.

To be used to induce anaesthesia:
a) in combination with butorphanol and medetomidine in the dog and cat,
b) in combination with xylazine in the horse, dog and cat,
c)in combination with detomidine in the horse,
d) in combination with romifidine in the horse.

For combination use: before ketamine is administered, please ensure that the
animals are adequately sedated. It should be noted that dosages and routes of
administration vary widely between species. Furthermore, the effect of ketamine may
show large inter-individual differences and therefore, individual dosage
accommodation is recommended.
The vials are not vacuum-sealed and do not require air to be introduced to withdraw
its content.
Introducing air into the vial prior to withdrawal of its content may lead to leakage.
To ensure a correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as
possible.
DOG:
Ketamine cannot be used as a mono-anaesthetic in dogs, as it causes an increased
muscle tone and uncoordinated muscle contractions.
Xylazine/ketamine:
Administer xylazine at a dose rate of 1 mg/kg by intramuscular injection
(corresponding to 0.5 ml/10 kg body weight of xylazine 2% solution). Immediately
administer ketamine at a dose rate of 15 mg/kg by intramuscular injection
(corresponding to 1.5 ml/10 kg body weight).
Dogs become recumbent in approximately 3 minutes and lose their pedal reflex in
approximately 7 minutes. Duration of anaesthesia is approximately 24 minutes, the
pedal reflex returning about 30 minutes following administration of the ketamine
injection.
I Table 1: Xylazine and ketamine 100 mg/ml canine anaesthesia (IM)
Weight of dog (kg)135101520253040Xylazine 2% dose
(ml)*
0.050.150.250.500.751.001.251.502.00Ketamine (100 mg/ml)
dose
(ml)**
0.150.450.751.502.253.003.754.506.00
* based on a dose rate of 1 mg xylazine/kg body weight
** based on a dose rate of 15 mg ketamine/kg body weight
Medetomidine/ketamine:
Administer medetomidine at a dose rate of 40 µg/kg (corresponding to 0.40 ml/10 kg
body weight of medetomidine 1 mg/ml solution) and ketamine at 5.0-7.5 mg/kg
(corresponding to 0.5-0.75 ml/10 kg body weight), depending on duration of
anaesthesia required, by intramuscular injection.
Loss of pedal reflex occurs approximately 11 minutes following injection at 5 mg
ketamine/kg and 7 minutes following injection at 7.5 mg ketamine/kg. Duration of
anaesthesia is approximately 30 and 50 minutes respectively.
It is NOT advisable to reverse this combination in the dog with atipamezole.
II Table 2: Medetomidine and ketamine canine anaesthesia (IM): Dosage chart
for 5 mg ketamine/kg (duration of anaesthesia approximately 30 minutes)
Weight of dog (kg)135101520253040Medetomidine (1
mg/ml) dose (ml)*
0.040.120.200.400.600.801.001.201.60Ketamine (100 mg/ml)
dose
(ml)**
0.050.150.250.500.751.001.251.502.00
* based on a dose rate of 40 µg medetomidine/kg body weight
** based on a dose rate of 5 mg ketamine/kg body weight
III Table 3: Medetomidine and ketamine canine anaesthesia (IM): Dosage chart
for 7.5 mg ketamine/kg (duration of anaesthesia approximately 50 minutes)
Weight of dog (kg)135101520253040Medetomidine (1
mg/ml) dose (ml)*
0.040.120.200.400.600.801.001.201.60Ketamine (100 mg/ml)
dose
(ml)**
0.080.230.380.751.131.501.882.253.00
* based on a dose rate of 40 µg medetomidine/kg body weight
** based on a dose rate of 7.5 mg ketamine/kg body weight
Butorphanol/medetomidine/ketamine:
Administer butorphanol at 0.1 mg/kg and medetomidine at 25 µg/kg by intramuscular
injection.
Dogs become recumbent in approximately 6 minutes and lose their pedal reflex in
approximately 14 minutes.
Ketamine injection should be administered 15 minutes following the first injection at a
dose rate of 5 mg/kg by intramuscular injection (corresponding to 0.5 ml/10 kg body
weight).
The pedal reflex returns approximately 53 minutes following administration of the
ketamine 100 mg/ml injection. Sternal recumbency is attained approximately 35
minutes later followed by standing a further 36 minutes later.
It is NOT advisable to reverse this combination in the dog with atipamezole.
IV Table 4: Butorphanol, medetomidine and ketamine canine anaesthesia (IM)
Weight of dog (kg)135101520253040Butorphanol (10
mg/ml) dose (ml)*
0.010.030.050.100.150.200.250.300.40
Medetomidine (1
mg/ml) dose (ml)**
0.030.080.130.250.380.500.630.751.00Administer butorphanol and medetomidine by intramuscular injection at the
above dose rates
Wait 15 minutes before administering ketamine by intramuscular injection at
the dose rates below
Ketamine (100 mg/ml)
dose (ml)***
0.050.150.250.500.751.001.251.502.00
* based on a dose rate of 0.1 mg butorphanol/kg body weight
** based on a dose rate of 25 µg medetomidine/kg body weight
*** based on a dose rate of 5 mg ketamine/kg body weight
CAT:
Ketamine as a sole agent:
Mono-anaesthetic use of ketamine is possible, but to avoid undesired psychomotoric
effects combined anaesthesia is recommended. Ketamine on its own may be used by
intravenous or subcutaneous injection, but intramuscular injection is the
recommended route. The dose is 11-33 mg ketamine/kg depending on the degree of
restraint or surgical interference that is intended. The following dosages are indicated
as a guide but may need to be adjusted depending on the physical condition of the
patient and the usage of sedatives and premedicants.
Dose (mg/kg)Clinical procedures11 (0.11 ml/kg)
22-33 (0.22-0.33 ml/kg)
Minor restraint
Minor surgery and restraint of
fractious cats
Duration of ketamine anaesthesia is 20-40 minutes and recovery takes place over a
1-4 hour period.
For major surgery, ketamine should be used in conjunction with supplemental
sedatives or anaesthetics. Dosage varies from 1.25-22 mg/kg (0.06-1.1 ml/5 kg)
depending on the combination and route of administration used.
Vomiting is unlikely to occur when ketamine is used alone, however, cats should be
starved for several hours prior to anaesthesia where possible.
Ketamine supplementary combinations in the cat:
Atropine premedication is generally recommended at 0.05 mg/kg to reduce salivation.
In addition, acepromazine (0.2% solution) at a dose rate of 0.11 mg/kg
(corresponding to 0.28 ml/5 kg body weight) can be administered by intramuscular
injection, as premedicant. Endotracheal intubation can be achieved during ketamine
anaesthesia. Inhalation anaesthesia may be maintained by suitable combinations of
methoxyflurane, halothane, nitrous oxide and oxygen.
Xylazine/ketamine:
Administer xylazine at a dose rate of 1.1 mg/kg (corresponding to 0.28 ml/5 kg body
weight of xylazine 2% solution) and atropine at a dose rate of 0.03 mg/kg
(corresponding to 0.25 ml/5 kg body weight of atropine 0.06% solution) by
intramuscular injection. Wait 20 minutes and then administer ketamine at a dose rate
of 22 mg/kg (corresponding to 1.1 ml/5 kg body weight) by intramuscular injection.
Xylazine may induce vomiting up to 20 minutes after administration. Onset of
anaesthesia after intramuscular injection of ketamine takes some 3-6 minutes.
V A xylazine/ketamine combination produces a deeper anaesthesia with more
pronounced respiratory and cardiac effects and a longer recovery period than
acepromazine/ketamine combinations.
VI Table 5: Xylazine and ketamine feline anaesthesia (IM)
Weight of cat (kg)1.522.533.544.55Xylazine 2% dose (ml)*0.080.110.140.170.190.220.250.28Atropine (600 µg/ml)
dose (ml)**
0.080.100.130.150.180.200.230.25 Wait 20 minutesKetamine (100 mg/ml)
dose (ml)***
0.330.440.550.660.770.880.991.10
* based on a dose rate of 1.1 mg xylazine/kg body weight
** based on a dose rate of 0.03 mg atropine/kg body weight
*** based on a dose rate of 22 mg ketamine/kg body weight
Medetomidine/ketamine:
Intramuscular:
Administer medetomidine at a dose rate of 80 µg/kg by intramuscular injection. This
should be followed immediately by the intramuscular injection of ketamine at a dose
rate of 2.5-7.5 mg/kg (corresponding to 0.12-0.38 ml/5 kg body weight).
Onset of anaesthesia is 3-4 minutes. The duration of surgical anaesthesia varies
between 30-60 minutes and is related to the dose of ketamine used. If required,
anaesthesia may be prolonged with halothane and oxygen with or without nitrous
oxide.
VII Table 6: Medetomidine and ketamine feline anaesthesia (IM)
Weight of cat (kg)1.522.533.544.55Medetomidine (1
mg/ml) dose (ml)*
0.120.160.200.240.280.320.360.40Ketamine (100 mg/ml)
dose
(ml)**
0.080.100.130.150.180.200.230.25
* based on a dose rate of 80 µg medetomidine/kg body weight
** based on a dose rate of 5 mg ketamine/kg body weight
Intravenous:
Medetomidine and ketamine may be administered by intravenous injection at the
following dose rates: 40 µg medetomidine/kg and 1.25 mg ketamine/kg.
Clinical experience has shown that when ketamine and medetomidine have been
used intravenously in cats and the need for anaesthesia has passed, administration
of 100 µg atipamezole/kg by intramuscular injection results in recovery to sternal
recumbency in approximately 10 minutes and to standing in approximately 14
minutes.
VIII Table 7: Medetomidine and ketamine feline anaesthesia (IV)
Weight of cat (kg)1.522.533.544.55Medetomidine (1
mg/ml) dose (ml)*
0.060.080.100.120.140.160.180.20
Ketamine (100 mg/ml)
dose
(ml)**
0.020.030.030.040.050.050.060.06
* based on a dose rate of 40 µg medetomidine/kg body weight
** based on a dose rate of 1.25 mg ketamine/kg body weight
Atropine is not normally necessary when using a medetomidine/ketamine
combination.
Use of either insulin syringes or 1 ml graduated syringes is recommended to ensure
accurate dosing.
Butorphanol/medetomidine/ketamine:
Intramuscular:
Administer butorphanol at a dose rate of 0.4 mg/kg, medetomidine at a dose rate of
80 µg/kg and ketamine at a dose rate of 5 mg/kg (corresponding to 0.25 ml/5 kg body
weight) by intramuscular injection.
Cats become recumbent in 2-3 minutes following injection. Loss of pedal reflex
occurs 3 minutes post injection. At 45 minutes post induction, reversal with 200 µg
atipamezole/kg results in return of pedal reflex 2 minutes later, sternal recumbency 6
minutes later and standing 31 minutes later.
IX Table 8: Butorphanol, medetomidine and ketamine feline anaesthesia (IM)
Weight of cat (kg)1.522.533.544.55Butorphanol (10 mg

[Text truncated]

Do not use:
•
•
•
apparent high blood pressure or cerebrovascular insults.
•
epilepsy).
•
relaxation is not ensured by administration of a muscle relaxant (intubation
obligatory).
•
•
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the
excipients.

Dogs:
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000
animals treated):
Hypertonia (of skeletal muscles).
Ataxia, hyperaesthesia, excitation (as emergence
reactions during recovery).
Pulmonary oedema.
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals
treated, including isolated
reports):
Hyperthermia.Undetermined frequency
(cannot be estimated from the
available data):
Increased heart rate, increased arterial blood
pressure/hypertension (with concurrent increased
bleeding tendency).
Eyes remain open with mydriasis and nystagmus.
Injection site pain (on intramuscular injection).
Respiratory depression
a

a
Dose-related, may lead to respiratory arrest particularly in cats. Combination with
respiratory depressant products may increase this respiratory effect.
Cats:
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000
animals treated):
Hypertonia (of skeletal muscles).
Ataxia, hyperaesthesia, excitation (as emergence
reactions during recovery).
Pulmonary oedema.
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals
treated, including isolated
reports):
Hyperthermia.
Hypersalivation.
Undetermined frequency
(cannot be estimated from the
available data):
Increased heart rate, increased arterial blood
pressure/hypertension (with concurrent increased
bleeding tendency).
Eyes remain open with mydriasis and nystagmus.
Injection site pain (on intramuscular injection).
Respiratory depression
a

Twitching (muscle tremor), tonic seizures (mild)
b
.
a
Dose-related, may lead to respiratory arrest particularly in cats. Combination with
respiratory depressant products may increase this respiratory effect.
b
These subside spontaneously but may be prevented by use of acepromazine or
xylazine premedication, or controlled by use of acepromazine or ultra-short acting
barbiturates in low doses.
Horses:
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000
animals treated):
Hypertonia (of skeletal muscles).
Ataxia, hyperaesthesia, excitation (as emergence
reactions during recovery).
Pulmonary oedema.
Undetermined frequency
(cannot be estimated from the
available data):
Increased heart rate, increased arterial blood
pressure/hypertension (with concurrent increased
bleeding tendency).
Injection site pain (on intramuscular injection).
Respiratory depression
a

a
Dose-related, may lead to respiratory arrest particularly in cats. Combination with
respiratory depressant products may increase this respiratory effect.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a
veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to
either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national
competent authority via the national reporting system. See also the last section of the
package leaflet for respective contact details.

For very painful and major surgical interventions, as well as for maintenance of
anaesthesia, a combination with injectable or inhalation anaesthetics is necessary.
As muscle relaxation required for surgical procedures cannot be achieved with
ketamine alone, additional muscle relaxants should be used concomitantly. For
improvement of anaesthesia or prolongation of effect ketamine can be combined with
α2-receptor-agonists, anaesthetics, neuroleptanalgesics, tranquillisers and
inhalational anaesthetic agents. It should be noted that time-to-full-effect may be
prolonged when using the subcutaneous administration route in cats. A small
proportion of animals have been reported to be unresponsive to ketamine as an
anaesthetic agent at normal dosages.

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
Use of premedicants should be followed by a suitable reduction in dosage.
Induction and recovery should be allowed to occur in quiet and calm surroundings.
As for all anaesthetics, animals should be fasted for 12 hours before ketamine
anaesthesia.
Atropine premedication may reduce salivation in cats.
In the cat and dog, the eyes remain open and the pupils dilated. The eyes may be
protected by covering with a damp gauze swab or using appropriate ointments.
When used in combination with other products, consult the contraindications and
warnings that appear on the Summaries of Product Characteristics.
Ketamine may exhibit pro-convulsant or anti-convulsant properties and should
therefore be used with caution in epileptic animals.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals:
This is a potent drug. Particular care should be taken to avoid accidental self-
administration.
People with known hypersensitivity to ketamine or any of the excipients should avoid
contact with the veterinary medicinal product.
Avoid contact with the skin and eyes. Wash any splashes from skin and eyes
immediately with large amounts of water.
Adverse effects on the foetus cannot be excluded. The veterinary medicinal product
should not be administered by pregnant women.
In case of accidental self-injection, or if symptoms occur after ocular/oral contact,
seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the
physician, but DO NOT DRIVE.
Advice to doctors:
Do not leave patient unattended. Maintain airways and give symptomatic and
supportive treatment.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.

Care should be taken when using ketamine-halothane combinations since the half-
life of ketamine is prolonged by halothane.
Potential for increased risk for arrhythmias when used in combination with thiopental
or halothane. Simultaneously administered intravenous spasmolytics can provoke a
collapse.
Theophylline, when given with ketamine, can cause an increased incidence of
seizures.
Neuroleptanalgesics, tranquillisers, morphine analogues, cimetidine and
chloramphenicol potentiate ketamine anaesthesia. Barbiturates and opiates or
diazepam can prolong the recovery period. Effects may be cumulative; dosage
reduction of one or both agents may be required.
The use of detomidine in combination with ketamine gives a slow recuperation.
Ketamine has been reported to enhance the occurrence of tachycardia and
hypertension when used in human patients receiving thyroid hormones.

Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.
This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage
conditions.

Horses
Meat and offal: 1 day
Milk: 24 hours

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.