Blood problems after Ketamine in cats

The FDA has received 52 reports of blood problems in cats after Ketamine. That is 1.6% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.9% across reports for all cat medicines.

52Reports
77%Marked serious
5.8%Recovered
31%Died or euthanised
6 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
8 18%
1–2 days
6 13%
3–7 days
12 27%
1–4 weeks
16 36%
Over a month
3 6.7%

How the animals did

Recovered
3 5.8%
Still unwell when reported
21 40%
Died
9 17%
Euthanised
7 13%
Not known
12 23%

Problems reported at the same time

21 40%
16 31%
15 29%
Leucocytosis
9 17%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
8
1–3 years
7
4–7 years
13
8–11 years
10
12+ years
13

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Ketamine cause blood problems in cats?
52 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?
In half of the reports with dates, it started within 6 days of the first dose.
What should I do?
Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Blood problems with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Ketamine in cats · Medicines most reported with blood problems