Vetalar Injection

Generic name: ketamine hydrochloride injection
Dosage form: FOR ANIMAL USE ONLY

NADA 45-290, Approved by FDA

Veterinary Injection For Intramuscular Use in Cats and Subhuman Primates Only

Caution

Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Description

Vetalar (ketamine hydrochloride injection, USP) is a rapid-acting, nonnarcotic, nonbarbiturate agent for anesthetic use in cats and for restraint in subhuman primates. It is chemically designated dl 2-(o-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino) cyclohexanone hydrochloride and is supplied as a slightly acid (pH 3.5 to 5.5) solution for intramuscular injection in a concentration containing the equivalent of 100 mg ketamine base per milliliter and contains not more than 0.1 mg/mL benzethonium chloride as a preservative.

Indications

Vetalar may be used in cats for restraint or as the sole anesthetic agent for diagnostic or minor, brief, surgical procedures that do not require skeletal muscle relaxation. It may be used in subhuman primates for restraint.

Dosage and Administration

Vetalar is well tolerated by cats and subhuman primates when administered by intramuscular injection.

Fasting prior to induction of anesthesia or restraint with Vetalar is not essential; however, when preparing for elective surgery, it is advisable to withhold food for at least six hours prior to administration of Vetalar.

Anesthesia may be of shorter duration in immature cats. Restraint in subhuman primate neonates (less than 24 hours of age) is difficult to achieve.

As with other anesthetic agents, the individual response to Vetalar is somewhat varied depending upon the dose, general condition and age of the subject so that dosage recommendations cannot be absolutely fixed.

Dosage - Cats

A dose of 11 mg/kg (5 mg/lb) is recommended to produce restraint. Dosages from 22 to 33 mg/kg (10 to 15 mg/lb) produce anesthesia that is suitable for diagnostic or minor surgical procedures that do not require skeletal muscle relaxation.

Subhuman Primates

The recommended restraint dosages of Vetalar (ketamine hydrochloride injection, USP) for the following species are: Cercocebus torquatus (white-collared mangabey), Papio cynocephalus (yellow baboon), Pan troglodytes verus (chimpanzee), Papio anubis