Veterinary Use Of Tramadol

Tramadol can be prescribed to pets for various conditions, but is most likely used in severe cases of arthritis. When prescribed for pets, Tramadol comes with the same risks associated with human use, and can offer just as effective relief from pain. Tramadol is typically a last resort for chronic conditions, but has been shown to be hugely beneficial for many.

Typically only prescribed for cats and dogs
Tramadol works the same for pets as humans
Is a powerful painkiller
Risk of addiction for prolonged use
Instructions should be properly followed
For arthritis it can be used alongside anti-inflammatory medications

Tramadol For Pets

Cats and dogs can be prescribed Tramadol for specific conditions to great effect. As is the case with any opioid use relating to humans, cats and dogs experience side effects and risks with Tramadol, so it is essential that the instructions be followed to the letter. While other pets may be prescribed Tramadol to regulate pain, it is far less likely than use in felines and canines.

Tramadol works the same way in pets as it does humans, in that it blocks pain signals to the brain and alters specific hormones in the body. These are Serotonin and Dopamine, which are both feel good hormones.

This is not to say that Tramadol products are the same for pets as humans. This is an important distinction to make as using the wrong type of Tramadol, in either direction, can be dangerous and even fatal, even if the dosage strengths are the same.

Tramadol treatment for pets comes in two forms, tablets and liquid. Tablets are the most efficient form, but many animals simply refuse to swallow them, even when hidden in food. This is when the liquid method might be more appropriate. Unfortunately, Tramadol has a very bitter taste, so this might also be an issue, with many pets turning their nose up at food and refusing to eat it. Trial and error is the best practice here and many pet owners have discovered elaborate and ingenuous ways of administering medication over the years.

When Might A Vet Prescribe Or Administer Tramadol?

Tramadol for use in pets is a fairly narrow practice and could depend on several factors. These will relate to the size of the animal, the severity of symptoms, other medication being used and any underlying conditions.

A vet may decide to inject or use an IV in order to administer Tramadol, both of which work faster than ingestion via a capsule or pill. This should only be done by a professional, however, so is not suitable for home use. Injections tend to be employed in cases of musculoskeletal trauma, rather than as part of an ongoing treatment.

The following conditions make up the vast majority of veterinary prescriptions for Tramadol:

Arthritis
General And Severe Anxiety
Degenerative Diseases
Chronic Coughing Caused By Serious Lung Conditions

Veterinary Use Of Tramadol For Arthritis

By far the most common use for Tramadol in pets is for treating arthritis. Although it is not always the first or most appropriate medication for the condition, it has been proven to be highly effective in most cases.

Larger pets, typically dogs, tend to be more at risk from arthritis, which suits the use of Tramadol as the risks are reduced the larger the body mass of the pet. Due to the risks of addiction in prolonged use, however, Tramadol will tend to be a last resort and will rarely be prescribed for younger pets.

Tramadol should not be prescribed alone for arthritis. Anti-inflammatories are an important treatment that can be used alongside Tramadol as the most effective method of managing pain in the most severe cases of the condition. In fact it is likely that anti-inflammatories will be the first treatment with all options exhausted before Tramadol is prescribed.

Tramadol Specifics For Cats And Dogs

There are no specific differences when administering Tramadol to cats or dogs, although there might be parallel treatments that that are specifically tailored to each species. Body mass is the most important consideration when calculating the strength of the prescription.

Side Effects And Risks Of Tramadol For Pets

Side effects for Tramadol use in pets mirror much of the issues faced by humans. As Tramadol is an opioid, it can be highly addictive if great care is not taken. In many cases, short-term use is all that is required, but as arthritis is a chronic condition, this presents something of a dilemma. If the pet’s pain is so severe that no other medications are able to manage the symptoms, however, Tramadol will be prescribed on a long-term basis. Monitoring will be required in all prolonged Tramadol treatments for pets.

Extended release versions of Tramadol are rarely prescribed for pets, and in the few cases where they are it should be noted you will need to ensure that the tablet is swallowed whole. This is due to the fact, that the sustained release versions of Tramadol are stronger and designed to work over a prolonged period of time. By breaking the seal of the tablet, the active ingredient (Tramadol Hydrochloride) is released into the system at once, resulting in possible overdose.

Other issues for pets regarding Tramadol is there may be some tolerance issues over time. This means the medication’s pain killing properties become less effective. In elderly pets this is less of a concern, but younger animals will require more detailed planning.

Unlike humans, pets experience less issues relating to side effects in general. That is not to say they do not occur, however. Should you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, you should seek advice as soon as possible. Severe reactions should be treated as an emergency situation.

Vomiting
Weight Loss
Loss Of Appetite
Constipation and Diarrhoea
Lethargy
Excessive Panting
A Noticeable Slowing Of The Heart Rate

It is common for many symptoms to subside after a few days as the body becomes used to its effects.

Tramadol Dosages For Pets

As each case is different, it is not possible to predict exactly what the best dosage should be. Everything from body mass to severity of symptoms will need to be taken into account, as will the possible length of treatment.

Unless the patient is in urgent need of relief, such as might be the case for physical injury, it is always better to err on the side of caution with any opioid medication. If it is seen that the dosage is not managing the pain effectively, it can be increased until the correct strength is found.

Minimum dosages are vaguely set at around .5mgs per pound of body mass and should not exceed 4.5mgs per pound, approximately every 10 hours. You should not make any changes to the recommended dosage unless specifically instructed to do so.

Alternative Treatments

As there are some risks and issues involved with Tramadol and veterinary use, other alternatives should be sought first. In cases of arthritis, anti-inflammatory medications will often be effective enough.

In less severe cases there are also alternative painkillers. Although not as powerful as Tramadol, they do not present the issues related to opioid medications. The appropriate form of medication will need to be decided on a case by case basis by a fully qualified veterinarian.

TramaPharma.com Do Not Sell Tramadol For Veterinary Use

As TramaPharma.com is not specialised in prescribing medications for pets, we do not sell Tramadol for use in this area. All Tramadol products on our website are for human consumption only and should never be administered to pets. All prescriptions are subject to an online questionnaire in which one of our fully certified doctors will ascertain whether Tramadol is right for you.

FAQs For Veterinary Use

Tramadol for cats and dogs has been proven to be effective, particularly when prescribed as a pain killing medication. Any advice on specific cases should be sought from a professional practitioner as each case presents its own issues and requirements.

Can My Pet Become Addicted To Tramadol

In short, yes. While careful monitoring of the treatment should reduce the risk of addiction considerably, pets are just as prone to addiction from opioids as humans. For this reason, prolonged use of Tramadol is thought of as a last resort and will only be considered in the most severe cases.

Where Can I Get Tramadol For Pets

If you wish to ensure that you are not breaking the law, you should only ever purchase Tramadol form legal websites with health care professionals prescribing the treatment. Illegal websites often provide counterfeit products that are improperly labelled, which can lead to fatal consequences.

Sources:

Veterinary Use Of Tramadol

Tramadol For Pets

When Might A Vet Prescribe Or Administer Tramadol?