A rapidly-acting, non-narcotic, non-barbiturate agent for anesthetic use in cats and for restraint in primates. Fasting prior to induction of anesthesia or restraint with ketamine HCl is not essential; however, when preparing for elective surgery, it is advisable to withhold food for at least 6 hours prior to administration of ketamine HCl. Ketamine HCl may be used in cats for restraint or as the sole anesthetic agent for diagnostic or minor, brief, surgical procedures that do not require skeletal muscle relaxation. It may be used in primates for restraint. As with other anesthetic agents, the individual response to ketamine HCl is somewhat varied depending upon the dose, general condition, and age of the subject, so that dosage recommendation cannot be absolutely fixed. Ketamine HCl is contraindicated in cats and subhuman primates suffering from renal or hepatic insufficiency.