Tramadol medication for pets is a pain relief medication used for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. It works similarly to narcotics and corticosteroids, but it is a nonsteroidal-based pet medication. Because it usually carries fewer side effects than narcotic-based pain relievers, it has become one of the more popular pet medications of choice.
How Tramadol Works
Tramadol works in the brain and controls pain in cats and dogs by suppressing the brain’s ability to perceive pain, which is also how narcotic and steroidal medications work. However, tramadol can also alter pain signals passed through the nervous system. It does this by reducing the intensity of the pain sensation carried by nerves leading into the brain.
Usage and Dosing of Tramadol
Tramadol, branded as Ultram, is a generic pet medication that can be used for managing cases of acute or chronic pain. Cases of acute pain are identified as incidents which are short-lived and resolve over time. Acute pain would include pain resulting from surgery or traumatic injury. Chronic pain is generally the side effect of a pre-existing medical condition. Incidents of chronic pain where tramadol medication may be used include cancer or degenerative joint diseases.
Tramadol medication is not given for the purpose of curing a medical illness, but rather to alleviate the pain symptoms associated with it. It is given in oral tablet format, and the dosing amount will depend on many factors, including the type of pain (acute or chronic), current medical conditions, and the weight of the pet.
Tramadol medication for pets is available in 50 mg doses, but the dosage amount can be modified to reflect the needs of the pet. It is important to remember that 2 doses should never be given at once, and tramadol medication should never be started or stopped without veterinary approval.
Research and Side Effects of Tramadol
Of note, tramadol medication for pets has not yet been approved by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). With this in mind, it is also worth mentioning that very little research is available about the long-term effects of using tramadol medication in pets. Currently, there are very few side effects associated with tramadol medication as compared to narcotic and controlled substance medications. This is one of the reasons why many veterinarians prefer to use tramadol for pain relief in cats and dogs.
The most common side effect of tramadol medication is sedation. Sedation, however, is usually minimal and relatively short-lived, so it is not considered a particularly concerning side effect. However, if sedation lasts for long periods of time, medical attention should be sought immediately. Although extremely rare, it is possible for vomiting and appetite disturbances to occur. Cats may be slightly more sensitive to tramadol, as it can cause them to become disoriented and unaware.
Alerts and Precautions When Using Tramadol
Tramadol medication is given orally and travels through the digestive system. For this reason, certain pets may not be excellent candidates for tramadol medication, including those with liver disease or kidney disease. Cat and dogs with liver or kidney disease may experience fluctuations in their BUN and creatinine levels, so tramadol medication may actually be more harmful than helpful to them.