POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Nimatek 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.

16849/3001

What it's used for

Based on a benefit/risk assessment performed by the veterinarian the veterinary medicinal product may also be used as a sole agent for restraint and minor...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

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Paying less for Ketamine

1

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2

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

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Prescription required

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Clinical information

Nimatek 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.

Based on a benefit/risk assessment performed by the veterinarian the veterinary
medicinal product may also be used as a sole agent for restraint and minor surgical
procedures where muscle relaxation is not required in the domestic cat.

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.
To ensure a correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as
possible.
AN. 00606/2022
DOG:
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.
Table 1: Xylazine and ketamine 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.
Table 2: Medetomidine and ketamine canine anaesthesia (IM): Dosage chart for
5 mg ketamine/kg (duration of anaesthesia approximately 30 min)
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
AN. 00606/2022
Table 3: Medetomidine and ketamine canine anaesthesia (IM): Dosage chart for
7.5 mg ketamine/kg (duration of anaesthesia approximately 50 min)
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 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.
Table 4: Butorphanol, medetomidine and ketamine canine anaesthesia (IM)
Weight of dog (kg)135101520253040Butorphanol (10 mg/ml)
dose (ml)*
0.010.030.050.100.150.200.250.300.40Medetomidine (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
AN. 00606/2022
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 combination in the cat:
Acepromazine can be administered by intramuscular injection, as premedication.
Endotracheal intubation can be achieved during ketamine anaesthesia. Inhalation
anaesthesia may be maintained by suitable combinations of isoflurane,
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) 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.
A xylazine/ketamine combination produces a deeper anaesthesia with more
pronounced respiratory and cardiac effects and a longer recovery period than
acepromazine/ketamine combinations.
Table 5: Xylazine and ketamine feline anaesthesia (IM)
Weight of cat (kg)1.522.533.544.55Xylazine 2% dose (ml)*0.080.110.140.170.190.220.250.28 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 22 mg ketamine/kg body weight
Medetomidine/ketamine
a) 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.
AN. 00606/2022
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
b) intravenous
Medetomidine and ketamine may be administered together 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.
Table 7: Medetomidine and ketamine feline anaesthesia (IV)
Weight of cat (kg)1.522.533.544.55Medetomidine (1
mg/ml) dose (ml)*
0.060.080.100.120.140.160.180.20Ketamine (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
Use of either insulin syringes or 1 ml graduated syringes is recommended to ensure
accurate dosing.
Butorphanol/medetomidine/ketamine
a) 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.
Table 8: Butorphanol, medetomidine and ketamine feline anaesthesia (IM)
Weight of cat (kg)1.522.533.544.55Butorphanol (10 mg/ml)
dose (ml)*
0.060.080.100.120.140.160.180.20Medetomidine (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 0.4 mg butorphanol/kg body weight
AN. 00606/2022
** based on a dose rate of 80 µg medetomidine/kg body weight
*** based on a dose rate of 5 mg ketamine/kg body weight
b) intravenous
Administer butorphanol at a dose rate of 0.1 mg/kg, medetomidine at a dose rate of
40 µg/kg and ketamine, depending on depth of anaesthesia required, at a dose rate
of 1.25-2.5 mg/kg (corresponding to 0.06-0.13 ml/5 kg body weight) by intravenous
injection.
Approximate time scales when using the triple combination intravenously:
Ketamine
dose
(mg/kg)*
Time to
recumbency
Time to loss
of pedal
reflex
Time to
return of
pedal reflex
Time to
sternal
recumbency
Time to
standing
1.2532 sec62 sec26 min54 min74 min2.5022

[Text truncated]

Do not use in animals with hepatic or renal failure.
Do not use ketamine as a sole agent in the horse or the dog.
Do not use in animals with severe cardiac de-compensation, apparent high blood
pressure or glaucoma.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the
excipients.
AN. 00606/2022

Dogs:
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000
animals treated):
Hypertonia (of skeletal muscles).
Ataxia, hyperaesthesia, excitation (as emergence
reactions during recovery).
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
.
Cats:
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000
animals treated):
Hypertonia (of skeletal muscles).
Ataxia, hyperaesthesia, excitation (as emergence
reactions during recovery).
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals
treated, including isolated
reports):
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
.
AN. 00606/2022
Horses:
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000
animals treated):
Hypertonia (of skeletal muscles).
Ataxia, hyperaesthesia, excitation (as emergence
reactions during recovery).
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.
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.
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 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.

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
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.
Induction and recovery should be allowed to occur in quiet and calm surroundings.
As with all anaesthetics, animals should be fasted for an appropriate duration (as
determined by the responsible veterinary surgeon) prior to ketamine
anaesthesia.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 mild tonic convulsions have been reported in the cat at
recommended dose rates. 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.
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.
When used in combination with other products, consult the contraindications and
warnings that appear on the relevant data sheets.
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. Preferably use a guarded needle until the moment of injection.
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.
AN. 00606/2022
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 half-life of
ketamine is prolonged. Neuroleptanalgesics, tranquilizers and chloramphenicol
potentiate ketamine anaesthesia. Barbiturates and opiates can prolong the recovery
period. 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.

Horse
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.