Hyperexcitation after Ketamine in horses

The FDA has received 24 reports of hyperexcitation in horses after Ketamine. That is 4.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all horse medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

24Reports
17%Marked serious
13%Recovered
13%Died or euthanised
–Typical onset
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How the animals did

Recovered
3 13%
Died
2 8.3%
Euthanised
1 4.2%
Not known
18 75%

Problems reported at the same time

Didn't work as expected
11 46%
Wobbliness (ataxia)
4 17%
Death
3 13%
Collapse
3 13%
Spasm
3 13%
Premature anaesthesia recovery
2 8.3%
Reluctant to move
2 8.3%
Recovery prolonged
2 8.3%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
2
1–3 years
5
4–7 years
2
8–11 years
2
12+ years
2

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Ketamine cause hyperexcitation in horses?
24 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.
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).

All reported side effects of Ketamine in horses · Medicines most reported with hyperexcitation