2. Introduction:-
Ketamine was first used clinically in 1970 as an
anesthetic drug.
It was hailed as a success but the recreational and unethical uses of ketamine
caused its downfall and bans across the world. Till now it is banned from Over
The Counter sales and is only sold an prescription from a doctor.
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3. Significance in Veterinary Medicine:-
The use of ketamine in
Veterinary started just after the clinical trials.it is extensively used in
anesthesia and is found to be the Drug of Choice for Cat family as it provides
the best results when used in domestic species or wild species like tigers,
lions, puma etc.
It is used by Veterinarians in Wild life Practices and Zoo, mostly in a dart for
restraining animals.
It provides a good anesthetic effect even at low doses.
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4. Generic Name:-
Ketamine HCL
Trade Names and Availability:-
Ketamine is a sedative/anesthetic
and is available in Pakistan under the following brand names:-
1. Ketarol Inj Manufactured by Global pharmaceuticals
2. Dekat Inj Manufactured by Ipram International.
3. Ketalite Inj Manufactured by Elite Pharma
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5. Pharmacodynamics and Use:-
Ketamine HCL provides
hypnotic, analgesic and amnesic effects, which are all important for general
anesthesia and no other drug gives these 3 effects in combination. It acts on
the Nervous System and Cardio-Vascular System which cause a rise in Blood
pressure and increase workload on heart in high concentrations.
It is used as a General Anesthetic i.e. that makes the patient hypnotic, numb
to pain and unable to memorize the situation. This anesthesia is more
specifically called “Dissociative Anesthesia”
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6. Mode of Action:-
1. Ketamine, when administered is actively metabolized to Nor-ketamine
and some drug is left as it is.
2. Nor-ketamine and ketamine act on the glutamate (A Neurotransmitter)
and inhibit it.
3. On the other hand it binds to N-methyl D-aspartate(NMDA) receptor and
blocks its activity.
4. Inhibition of glutamate and NMDA Receptor cause stoppage of Trans-
Synaptic Signal Transmission and the sate of anesthesia is produced.
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7. Pharmacokinetics:-
Ketamine is actively metabolized by liver. In fact, the
anesthetic effect is due to its metabolite Nor-Ketamine.
The degradation of both products is via hepatic system accounting for its
short duration of action.
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8. Dose Rates:-
Dose rates of 0.5-1.2mL/Kg per hour are advised for Small
animals and 1-2mL/Kg per hour are advised for large animals.
Routes of Administration:-
Ketamine is administered Parenterally
either via I/V Infusion OR I/M injection.
If I/V is used it should be diluted in Normal Saline Infusion and administered
at slow speeds.
I/M administration can also be done via Dart Gun in case of wild animals.
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9. Onset of Anesthetic Effect:-
Anesthetic Effect begins after 30-45
seconds via I/V Route. While in case of I/M Route it begins after 3-4
minutes, as there is Time dependent Response.
Anesthesia lasts from 60-90 minutes but varies on state of animal. State of
animal means that how sensitive an animal is to the drug i.e. if it has gotten
the drug before or not.
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10. Side Effects:-
1. Tachycardia.
2. Disorientation.
3. Nausea.
4. Hypertension.
5. Ataxia(Loss of Motor function).
6. Numbness.
7. Open and closed eye visuals.
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11. Contraindications of Ketamine:-
1. Animals with known Liver dysfunction.
2. Animals with respiratory disorders.
3. Animals with kidney disorders or renal insufficiency.
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