POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

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

Active ingredient: Ketamine

Form

Injection

Species

Cats Dogs Horses

Manufacturer

Zoetis UK Limited

VMD MA No.

42058/5101

What it's used for

The product may be used to induce anaesthesia: a) in conjunction with butorphanol and medetomidine in the dog and cat, b) in conjunction with xylazine in t...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.

Paying less for Ketamine

1

Ask your vet for a written prescription

They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
2

Fill it at a registered online retailer

The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

Your prescription rights → VMD register of retailers →

Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

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

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 26 Mar 2026.

The product may be used to induce anaesthesia:
a) in conjunction with butorphanol and medetomidine in the dog and cat,
b) in conjunction with xylazine in the dog, cat and horse,
c) in conjunction with detomidine in the horse,
d) in conjunction with romifidine in the horse.
Based on the benefit/risk assessment performed by the veterinarian the product may
be used as a sole agent for restraint and minor surgical procedures where muscle
relaxation is not required in the domestic cat.

Do not use in animals with pre-existing hepatic or renal pathology.
Do not use in animals with severe cardiac de-compensation or with apparent high
blood pressure or glaucoma.
Do not reverse ketamine combinations in dogs with atipamezole.
Do not use ketamine as a sole agent in dogs or horses.

Revised: August 2023
AN: 00906/2022Page 2 of 15
Do not use in animals with eclampsia or pre-eclampsia.
Do not use for surgical intervention on pharynx, larynx, trachea or bronchial tree, if
sufficient 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:
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated,
including isolated reports)
mydriasis
nystagmus
muscle tremor (twitching)
convulsion (tonic)
injection site pain
hypertension
tachycardia
ataxia
excitation
hypersensitivity to stimuli
respiratory depression
1
The eyes also remain open.
Observed at recommended dose.
Emergence reactions; may occur during recovery.
Dose-dependent; when given too rapidly or in excessive doses, significant
respiratory depression may occur.

Revised: August 2023
AN: 00906/2022Page 4 of 15
Cats:
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated,
including isolated reports)
mydriasis
nystagmus
hypersalivation
muscle tremor (twitching)
convulsion (tonic)
injection site pain
hypertension
tachycardia
ataxia
excitation
hypersensitivity to stimuli
respiratory depression
1
The eyes also remain open.
Atropine premedication may reduce this side effect.
Observed at recommended dose.
Emergence reactions; may occur during recovery.
Dose-dependent; when given too rapidly or in excessive doses, significant
respiratory depression may occur.
Horses:
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated,
including isolated reports)
injection site pain
hypertension
tachycardia
ataxia
excitation
hypersensitivity to stimuli
respiratory depression
1
Emergence reactions; may occur during recovery.
Dose-dependent; when given too rapidly or in excessive doses, significant
respiratory depression may occur.
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.
For surgical and diagnostic procedures requiring muscle relaxation, the concomitant
use of muscle-relaxants is necessary.
For improvement of anaesthesia or prolongation of effect ketamine can be combined
with α2-receptor-agonists,
inhalational anaesthetic agents.
Please see section 4.8.

i) Special precautions for use in animals
It is generally accepted as good anaesthetic practice to fast animals for a period prior
to anaesthesia where possible.
Induction and recovery should be allowed to occur in quiet and calm surroundings.
A small proportion of animals have been reported to be unresponsive to ketamine as
an anaesthetic agent at normal dosages.
Use of premedicants should be followed by a suitable reduction in dosage.
Atropine premedication may reduce salivation in cats. Since use of atropine with
alpha 2-agonists, which are often administered with ketamine, may increase arterial
blood pressure, heart rate and the incidence of arrhythmias, atropine premedication
should only be used according to a benefit-risk assessment by the responsible
veterinarian.
Muscular twitching and tonic convulsions have been reported in the cat at
recommended dose rates. These subside spontaneously but may be prevented by
use of xylazine premedication, or controlled by use of ultra-short acting barbiturates
in low doses.
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.
Ketamine may exhibit pro-convulsant and anti-convulsant properties, and therefore
should be used with care in patients with seizure disorders.
Ketamine may increase intracranial pressure and therefore, may not be suitable for
patients with cerebrovascular insults.
Ketamine should be used with caution when pulmonary disease is present or
suspected.
Muscle relaxation is not achieved with ketamine alone.
When used in combination with other products, consult the contra-indications and
warnings that appear on the relevant data sheets.
ii) Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the
veterinary medicinal product to animals

Revised: August 2023
AN: 00906/2022Page 3 of 15
This is a potent drug. Particular care should be taken to avoid accidental self-
administration.
Preferably use a guarded needle until the moment of injection.
People with known hypersensitivity to ketamine or to any excipient 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.
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.
Adverse effects on the foetus cannot be excluded. The veterinary medicinal product
should not be administered by pregnant women.
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
iii)Other precautions
None

Care should be taken when using ketamine-halothane combinations since the half-
life of ketamine is prolonged. Neuroleptanalgesics, tranquilizers, morphine analogues
and chloramphenicol potentiate ketamine anaesthesia. Barbiturates and opiates can
prolong the recovery period.
Please see section 4.4

Do not freeze.
Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

Excipient(s):
Benzethonium chloride: 0.10 mg
For the full list of excipients, see section

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.