The Meaning of Tramadol for Dogs
Tramadol is one of the renowned painkillers administered to dogs to relieve/kill all levels of pain a i.e. either moderate or severe. It mainly affects mu-opioid receptors, and can affect both serotonin and norepinephrine receptors. It comes in different states of matter, either as a liquid, powder, pill or ampule form. It has unpleasant taste, hence should be mixed into dogs’ food.
Recommended Tramadol Prescription for Dogs
Dogs should be given 1 to 4 mg/kg orally, of tramadol within 8 to 12 hours
Tramadol has many benefits compared to other painkillers. To begin with, it has little side effect unlike other painkillers due to its affinity for the opioid receptor. Secondly, it is well tolerated in patients. With its unique binding profile, tramadol is efficiently used in treating certain types of pain, like the neuropathic pain, which sometimes is irresponsive to other pain medications. Its third benefit is its safety since it causes no damage to the liver or the stomach of dogs. In addition, it is useful for reduction of skittishness often produced by excessive pain in animals; this is due to its mild anti-anxiety properties. Finally, in the veterinary sector, tramadol has widely been used in treating pains resulting from diseases such as cancer, post-surgical inflammation, and arthritis.
Problems with Tramadol for Dogs
On the darker side, just like any other medication, tramadol also has its good share of side effects that dogs can experience after taking it. These include stomach upset, lowered heart rate, constipation, and indigestion. Excessive intake of tramadol may lead to the dog exhibiting small pupil, seizures, and confusion. In which case seek immediate veterinary attention. Since tramadol is excreted and metabolized by the kidney and the liver, then you need to be cautious when administering this painkiller to dogs having problems with these organs. Finally, to prevent the risk of seizure, it should not be given to dogs taking MAOIs, SSRIs, or tricyclics. Also, do not give it or other narcotic drugs, to dogs taking deprenyl for Cushing’s syndrome.