Anesthesia of Small Animals with Ketamine Hydrochloride

Abstract

Sugical treatment and positioning were carried out in 63 dogs and cats under anesthesia with ketamine hydrochloride (KT).(1) In dogs, an intramuscular dose of 20-30mg/kg induced analgesia sufficient to perform a minor operation for 10-20 minutes. Injection with this dose repeated 2-4 times or with a quarter of this dose 2-5times prolonged the duration thof analgesia.(2) In cats, essentially the same results were obtained, although analgesia was faster to appear and deeper and lasted longer than in dogs.(3) No significant effect was observed on respiration or circulation.(4) Some animals manifested a rise in tone of the limb muscles, nystagmus, excessive salivation, prolonged inability of locomotion after awakening, and loss of appetite. In cats, however, the side effects were much less remarkable than in dogs.