The KetStres project deals with the intravenous administration of ketamine/azaperone for the castration of suckling piglets with a minimum age of 14 days. The aim of this work is to determine the suitability of intravenous anesthesia in terms of sufficient elimination of pain, to record the time required per animal and to determine the costs incurred by using this method. In total, 353 male suckling piglets with an average age of 24 (± 7) days and an average weight of 6.70 (± 2.23) kg were castrated. The first evaluations show that 97% of all castrated animals were rated as very good or satisfactory in terms of the anesthetic effect and the overall assessment (defensive reaction and vocalization). Ketamine/azaperone general anesthesia provides an analgesically efficient and easy-to-use alternative to castration without anesthesia. The low level of equipment required and the calculable costs enable this method to be used in small and medium-sized businesses. The results of the further investigations on four practical farms will be published in spring 2013.