As responsible pet owners, it's important that we stay up-to-date on the latest news. PetsWeekly wants to help you do this. The latest round of recalls deal with the drug known as Ketamine. Ketamine HCI is often used by veterinarians is used on cats for restraint or as the sole anesthetic agent for diagnostic or minor, brief, surgical procedures that do not require skeletal muscle relaxation. Wildlife veterinarians use the drug to restrain primates, and many disturbed teenagers (who want to be more disturbed) use "Special K" as a recreational drug for its hallucinogenic properties. No matter who is using it for what, be sure that everyone knows about this nationwide recall of the drug.

Teva Animal Health, Inc. expands nationwide ketamine recall

Posted: December 23, 2009
Updated: Dec 28, 2009, January 4, 2010, January 5, 2010, January 14, 2010

Check your lot numbers against the recall list

On December 22, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a nationwide voluntary recall of ketamine hydrochloride injectable (100mg/ml, 10 ml vials) manufactured by Teva Animal Health, Inc. Not all Teva products are affected by the recall. Teva Animal Health also manufactures ketamine hydrochloride products for other companies. These products are sold under various brand names and can include the following:

• AmTech Group, Inc. (Ketamine Hydrochloride Injection, USP)
• Butler (KetaThesia)
• LLOYD Laboratories (VetaKet)
• Phoenix (Ketaject)
• RXV (Keta-Sthetic)
• VEDCO (KetaVed)
• Fort Dodge/Pfizer (Ketaset)

Teva Animal Health does not distribute products internationally.

Teva Animal Health is not the only manufacturer of ketamine hydrochloride in the U.S. and not all products sold under the above-listed names listed are affected. Therefore, regardless of the brand name on the product, look at the lot number on all ketamine hydrochloride (100 mg/ml in 10 ml vials) products.

• If the lot number is 6 numeric digits, the product is NOT part of the recall
• If the lot number is 7 numeric digits, the product should be returned
• If the lot number starts with "5401", regardless of the number of digits or the presence of letters in the lot code, the product should be returned

Veterinarians with questions may contact Teva Animal Health at 800-759-3664 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (CST) Monday through Friday.

For additional information, read the FDA press release