Ketamine for Sheep
Ketamine is used in sheep for Anaesthesia (with xylazine), analgesia adjunct, anesthesia, anesthesia induction. Routes documented in sheep: IV, IM. ExoticRx tracks Ketamine dosing for sheep from primary veterinary literature; sign in to view the full rule set. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Ketaset, Vetalar
Dose rules — sign in to view
Cited dose rules for Ketamine in sheep are available with a free ExoticRx account. Each row carries the route, dose range, frequency, indication, evidence level, and primary-source citation.
Mechanism of action
NMDA receptor antagonist producing dissociative anesthesia. Provides somatic analgesia, amnesia, and catalepsy while maintaining pharyngeal reflexes.
Side effects & warnings
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 sheep may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
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 sheep — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from primary literature; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.