Ketamine in dogs.

The cardiopulmonary consequences of ketamine (10 mg/kg, IV) were evaluated in 18 dogs. Heart rate, cardiac output, systemic blood pressure, left ventricular work, oxygen transport, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and core temperature increased. Breathing rate, minute ventilation, and arterial partial pressure of oxygen transiently decreased. Arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide, alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, and venous admixture transiently increased. The duration of action of ketamine for surgical anesthesia was short. Muscle tone and salivation were excessive, and spontaneous muscular activity was prominent.