Hair loss after Ketamine in cats

The FDA has received 73 reports of hair loss in cats after Ketamine. That is 2.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

73Reports
11%Marked serious
9.6%Recovered
1.4%Died or euthanised
3 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
11 15%
1–2 days
16 23%
3–7 days
27 38%
1–4 weeks
15 21%
Over a month
2 2.8%

How the animals did

Recovered
7 9.6%
Still unwell when reported
39 53%
Euthanised
1 1.4%
Not known
26 36%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
12
1–3 years
4
4–7 years
17
8–11 years
29
12+ years
11

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Ketamine cause hair loss in cats?
73 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 3 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).

Hair loss with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Ketamine in cats · Medicines most reported with hair loss