If your dog is suffering from moderate discomfort or more severe pain, your veterinarian may recommend a dosage of generic tramadol to help ease his suffering. Tramadol is a medicine that is formulated specifically for use in humans but which may be prescribed as an extra label medicine for dogs under certain specific conditions. If your pet is about to go through surgery or has been suffering from chronic pain for another reason, it's a good idea to learn about tramadol as well as your other pain relief options so that you'll be able to better help your dog to cope.
Tramadol Overview
Tramadol is a type of analgesic. These types of drugs work to block your pet's ability to feel pain by literally disabling the receptors in his nervous system which will relay the information about the pain to his brain and body. By temporarily disabling these receptors, your pet will be at ease from his pain and will no longer feel any sense of discomfort. Of course, the dosage of the tramadol that you use is an important consideration in making sure that your dog's pain is properly moderated.
Tramadol is not approved for use in pets by the Food and Drug Administration. This is because the drug, whether generic or brand name, has only been tested and approved for use in human patients. However, veterinarians are still legally allowed to prescribe the drug for use in animals, but only under certain conditions. If you feel that your pet may benefit from Tramadol, it's a good idea to check in with your veterinarian about the possibility of providing this drug to your dog.
Tramadol Benefits
Tramadol is designed to eliminate pain. Because it can be difficult to tell if a dog is in pain, the symptoms that this medicine is designed to treat include the following:
- Aggressive behavior
- Biting
- Howling
- Sensitivity to the touch
If there are other signs that your pet is in pain as well, this may be a good opportunity to check in with your vet.
Tramadol Dosing and Side Effects
Tramadol is supplied orally and in tablet form. It's best to mix up the dosage for your pet with his food or along with a treat. The exact amount of the drug that you give to your dog will be dependent upon his overall health, his pain levels, his size and more. It's important to monitor the effects of the drug closely and with the help of a vet.
Tramadol has a number of potential side effects. It's crucial that you inform your vet of any other medicines that your dog is taking before you begin, as this medicine can interact with several other types of drugs. Some of the most common side effects of tramadol include changes in behavior, lethargy, hyperactivity, vomiting and more. For a more complete set of potential side effects and risks of tramadol, consult with a veterinarian.