A commonly used injectable veterinary drug manufactured by Teva Animal Health, Inc. -- ketamine hydrochloride -- has been recalled. The original ketamine hydrochloride recall has been expanded to include ketamine manufactured by Teva but sold under a wide range of other brand and product names.

A second commonly used injectable veterinary drug called butorphanol is reportedly being recalled as well, but no details have been publicly announced.

Due to the lack of widespread knowledge about the recalls, concerned pet owners and shelter workers -- and especially those whose pets may be undergoing any type of surgical procedure -- should speak with their veterinarian to ensure that she or he is aware of the recalls, and is not using any of the recalled drugs.

Ketamine hydrochloride is an injectable anesthetic agent commonly used for surgical anesthesia in veterinary clinics and animal shelters. Butorphanol is an injectable opiate used to control pain from surgical procedures in dogs and cats.

A press release dated Dec. 21, 2009, posted on the FDA website stated that the ketamine recall was the result of “an increased trend in serious adverse events associated with this product, including lack of effect, prolonged effect, and death.” The recall took place following the questionable deaths of five cats undergoing anesthesia with ketamine.

Read the press release on the ketamine recall.

View the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) list of product names and associated lot numbers affected by the Teva Animal Health ketamine hydrochloride recall.


There is much more information and a very long article about re-calls on this web-site:  SF Gate ( San Francisco Chronicle)   That article starts off like this:

What if your veterinarian was using a recalled drug -- and didn't know it?