The eyes normally remain open with the pupils dilated. It is suggested that a bland ophthalmic ointment be applied to the cornea if anesthesia is to be prolonged. Following the administration of recommended doses, cats become ataxic in about 5 minutes with anesthesia usually lasting from 30 to 45 minutes at higher doses. At the lower doses, complete recovery usually occurs in 4 to 5 hours but with higher doses recovery time is more prolonged and may be as long as 24 hours. The median duration of restraint ranged between 20 and 55 minutes in all but five of the species studied.
Recovery is generally smooth and uneventful.
The duration is dose related. In cats, cases of prolonged recovery and death have been reported. Anesthesia may be of shorter duration in immature cats. A single intramuscular injection produces restraint suitable for TB testing, radiography, physical examination or blood collection. Protect from light.