# Ketoprofen: veterinary dose and monograph

> Ketoprofen is a veterinary anti-inflammatory drug. Propionic-acid NSAID (non-selective COX inhibitor) with strong analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic action. Indications include acute musculoskeletal pain and inflammation; pyrexia (bovine respiratory disease, mastitis); post-operative / post-trauma pain (short course). This monograph lists 15 reference doses for dogs, cats, cattle, horses, goats and sheep and 5 more species, each with route, frequency and source, plus meat and milk withdrawal periods for food animals.

Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/ketoprofen · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Anti-inflammatory
- **Also known as:** Ketofen, Anafen
- **Species with doses:** Dogs, Cats, Cattle, Horses, Goats, Sheep, Pigs, Birds, Rabbits, Ferrets and Primates
- **General dose range:** 1–3 mg/kg IV q24h — check the species tables for the indication
- **Routes:** SC, PO, IV, IM
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Acute musculoskeletal pain and inflammation
- Pyrexia (bovine respiratory disease, mastitis)
- Post-operative / post-trauma pain (short course)
- Equine colic-associated visceral pain (adjunct)

## Ketoprofen dose by species

Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.

### Dogs

*Ketoprofen doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Acute pain / inflammation | 2 mg/kg | SC | q24h, up to 3 days | — |
| Oral follow-on after injection | 1 mg/kg | PO | q24h | up to 4 days (5 days total) |
| Chronic pain (low dose) | 0.25 mg/kg | PO | q24h | up to 30 days |

- Acute pain / inflammation: Papich 5e: single dose 2 mg/kg SC, IM or IV. Plumb’s p.703 (Ketofen label): 2 mg/kg SC, IM or IV once daily for up to 3 days, or one injection followed by tablets at 1 mg/kg/day — total course up to 5 days. Do not combine with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids.
- Oral follow-on after injection: Papich 5e: multiple-dose 1 mg/kg q24h PO for up to 5 days. Plumb’s p.703 (label): 1 mg/kg PO once daily for 4 more days after the first injection.
- Chronic pain (low dose): Plumb’s p.703 (Ketofen tablets label): chronic pain 0.25 mg/kg PO once daily for up to 30 days. Papich 5e: lower to 0.25 mg/kg once daily for longer treatment (better safety profile).

### Cats

*Ketoprofen doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Acute pain | 2 mg/kg | SC | q24h, up to 3 days | — |
| Oral follow-on after injection | 1 mg/kg | PO | q24h | up to 4 days (5 days total) |

- Acute pain: Papich 5e: single dose 2 mg/kg SC, IM or IV. Plumb’s p.703: 2 mg/kg SC once daily for up to 3 days, or one injection then 1 mg/kg PO daily — up to 5 days in total (label); 1 mg/kg PO or SC once daily for up to 5 days, or 2 mg/kg SC once (Duncan 2007).
- Oral follow-on after injection: Papich 5e and Plumb’s p.703 (label): 1 mg/kg PO once daily for up to 4 days after the injection.

### Cattle

*Ketoprofen doses for cattle*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Inflammation / pyrexia (BRD, mastitis) | 3 mg/kg | IV | q24h up to 3 days | — | 4d slaughter / no milk discard |

- Inflammation / pyrexia (BRD, mastitis): Plumb’s p.703 (UK label): 3 mg/kg IV or deep IM once daily for up to 3 days; withdrawal meat 4 days, milk 0 days. Papich 5e: cattle and small ruminants 3 mg/kg/day IV or IM for up to 3 days. Extra-label US use (Walz 2006): 3.3 mg/kg, withdrawal milk 24 h, meat 7 days — verify the local label.

### Horses

*Ketoprofen doses for horses*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Musculoskeletal / visceral pain | 2.2 mg/kg | IV | q24h up to 5 days | — |

- Musculoskeletal / visceral pain: Plumb’s p.703 (Ketofen label): 2.2 mg/kg (1 mL/100 lb) IV once daily for up to 5 days; laminitis adjunct 2.2 mg/kg IV once daily. Papich 5e: 2.2–3.3 mg/kg/day IV or IM. ARCI Class 4.

### Goats

*Ketoprofen doses for goats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Inflammation / pyrexia | 3 mg/kg | IM | q24h | up to 3 days | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

- Inflammation / pyrexia: Papich 5e: cattle and small ruminants 3 mg/kg/day IV or IM for up to 3 days. Obtain a withdrawal from the local label or FARAD.

### Sheep

*Ketoprofen doses for sheep*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Inflammation / pyrexia | 3 mg/kg | IM | q24h | up to 3 days | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

- Inflammation / pyrexia: Papich 5e: cattle and small ruminants 3 mg/kg/day IV or IM for up to 3 days. Obtain a withdrawal from the local label or FARAD.

### Pigs

*Ketoprofen doses for pigs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Miniature/pet pig — pain / inflammation | 1–3 mg/kg | IM | q24h | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |
| Inflammation / pyrexia | 3 mg/kg | IM | q24h | up to 3 days | 4d slaughter |

- Miniature/pet pig — pain / inflammation: Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 12-5 (p.669): miniature pigs 1–3 mg/kg PO/SC/IM q24h, or 3 mg/kg PO/SC/IM/IV q24h; up to 5 days.
- Inflammation / pyrexia: Plumb’s p.703 (UK label): 3 mg/kg IM once daily for up to 3 days; meat withdrawal 4 days. Papich 5e: pigs 3 mg/kg/day PO, IV or IM.

### Buffalo

No buffalo-specific doses are on file, so buffalo are dosed as cattle.

*Ketoprofen doses for buffalo*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Inflammation / pyrexia (BRD, mastitis) | 3 mg/kg | IV | q24h up to 3 days | — | 4d slaughter / no milk discard |

- Inflammation / pyrexia (BRD, mastitis): Plumb’s p.703 (UK label): 3 mg/kg IV or deep IM once daily for up to 3 days; withdrawal meat 4 days, milk 0 days. Papich 5e: cattle and small ruminants 3 mg/kg/day IV or IM for up to 3 days. Extra-label US use (Walz 2006): 3.3 mg/kg, withdrawal milk 24 h, meat 7 days — verify the local label.

### Birds

*Ketoprofen doses for birds*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Anti-inflammatory analgesia | 2 mg/kg | IM | q8–24h | — |

- Anti-inflammatory analgesia: Plumb’s p.703: 2 mg/kg IM or SC q8–24h (Clyde & Paul-Murphy 2000; Echols 2008).

### Rabbits

*Ketoprofen doses for rabbits*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pain / inflammation | 1–3 mg/kg | IM | q12–24h | — |

- Pain / inflammation: Plumb’s p.703: rabbits 1 mg/kg IM q12–24h for chronic pain (Ivey & Morrisey 2000); 3 mg/kg IM, lasting 12–24 h (Flecknell 2008).

### Ferrets

*Ketoprofen doses for ferrets*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Post-operative analgesia | 1–2 mg/kg | SC | q24h | — |

- Post-operative analgesia: Plumb’s p.703 (Lichtenberger 2008): 1–2 mg/kg q24h (route not stated; SC or IM as for cats).

### Primates

*Ketoprofen doses for primates*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pain / inflammation (monkeys) | 2 mg/kg | IM | q24h | — |

- Pain / inflammation (monkeys): Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 13-5 (p.701): chimpanzees/monkeys 2 mg/kg IM/IV q24h; monkeys 5 mg/kg IM q24h; prosimians 2 mg/kg PO/SC/IM/IV then reduce to 1 mg/kg q24h.

## Contraindications

GI ulceration, renal / hepatic impairment, dehydration, bleeding disorders. Pre-operative use (platelet inhibition). Concurrent corticosteroid / other NSAID. Caution in pregnancy.

## Adverse effects

- GI ulceration, vomiting, melaena
- Renal injury with volume depletion
- Prolonged bleeding time

## Drug interactions

- Other NSAIDs / corticosteroids: greatly increased GI ulceration and bleeding risk — do not combine
- Anticoagulants and other antiplatelet drugs: additive bleeding risk (ketoprofen is a strong platelet inhibitor)
- ACE inhibitors / diuretics: reduced effect and additive nephrotoxicity in dehydrated animals
- Aminoglycosides: additive renal toxicity

## Pregnancy and lactation

Avoid in pregnancy (especially late gestation — prostaglandin inhibition affects parturition and the foetal ductus) and in breeding animals unless benefit clearly outweighs risk.

## Monitoring

- Renal values and hydration before and during therapy
- PCV / signs of GI bleeding (melaena, anaemia) on multi-day courses
- Strict adherence to the short maximum-duration limits, especially in cats
- Food-animal milk and meat withdrawal times

## Toxicity and overdose

Overdose causes GI ulceration / haemorrhage, acute kidney injury and prolonged bleeding. Cats are particularly sensitive to NSAID toxicity and require strict dose / duration limits.

Management: Discontinue; aggressive GI protection (omeprazole, sucralfate, misoprostol), IV fluids for renal support, and transfusion / supportive care if significant haemorrhage. Monitor PCV, renal values and faeces. No specific antidote.

## Clinical pearls

- Strong platelet inhibitor — stop before any elective surgery and avoid in bleeding patients
- Excellent antipyretic for febrile cattle (BRD, acute mastitis) alongside antibiotics
- Keep canine / feline courses short (3–5 days) and ensure the patient is well hydrated

## Mechanism of action

Propionic-acid NSAID. Non-selectively inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2, reducing prostaglandin synthesis to produce analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. The non-selectivity confers potent efficacy but also the classic NSAID risks (GI, renal, antiplatelet); it additionally has some lipoxygenase / bradykinin-modulating activity contributing to analgesia.

## Formulations and products

- Ketofen 100 mg/mL injection (large animal)
- Ketofen 10 mg/mL injection (small animal)
- Ketofen 5 mg tablet
- Ketofen 20 mg tablet
- Ketofen (Ceva) — 1 % and 10 % injection; 5 / 20 mg tablets, Injection / tablet
- Ketoprofen (generic) — 50 / 100 mg, Capsule / SR tablet (human-label)

## Storage

Store at 15–25 °C, protect injectable from light; do not freeze.

## Before you use this dose

> **Caution:** Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.

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## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Ketoprofen for dogs?

Reference doses for Ketoprofen in dogs: 2 mg/kg SC q24h, up to 3 days (Acute pain / inflammation); 1 mg/kg PO q24h for up to 4 days (5 days total) (Oral follow-on after injection); 0.25 mg/kg PO q24h for up to 30 days (Chronic pain (low dose)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Ketoprofen for cats?

Reference doses for Ketoprofen in cats: 2 mg/kg SC q24h, up to 3 days (Acute pain); 1 mg/kg PO q24h for up to 4 days (5 days total) (Oral follow-on after injection). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Ketoprofen for cattle?

Reference doses for Ketoprofen in cattle: 3 mg/kg IV q24h up to 3 days (Inflammation / pyrexia (BRD, mastitis)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the withdrawal period for Ketoprofen?

Cattle, IV (Inflammation / pyrexia (BRD, mastitis)): 4d slaughter / no milk discard; Goats, IM (Inflammation / pyrexia): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Sheep, IM (Inflammation / pyrexia): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Pigs, IM (Miniature/pet pig — pain / inflammation): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Pigs, IM (Inflammation / pyrexia): 4d slaughter. Follow the product label and national regulations where they differ.

### When should Ketoprofen not be used?

GI ulceration, renal / hepatic impairment, dehydration, bleeding disorders. Pre-operative use (platelet inhibition). Concurrent corticosteroid / other NSAID. Caution in pregnancy.

### What are the side effects of Ketoprofen in animals?

GI ulceration, vomiting, melaena; Renal injury with volume depletion; Prolonged bleeding time.

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition
- Carpenter, Exotic Animal Formulary

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VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.