Tramadol For Dogs: Is It A Safe Painkiller For Our Pet?

One of the major medications that we are prescribed for pain is Tramadol. But many do not know that Tramadol is not just helping humans, but animals too. A veterinarian will prescribe Tramadol for Dogs because it is as good for animals as it is for humans. One may be hesitant to give Tramadol to their dogs, which is absolutely understood. Yet studies have proved that this opioid is safe for dogs. But one must be aware of the effects it can have of administering it unsafely. In this blog, we will get to know how effective and safe Tramadol is for dogs.

Tramadol For Dogs: Understanding Its Uses, Benefits, & Side Effects

What is Tramadol? 

Tramadol is an analgesic opioid used for treating moderate-to-severe pain. It has many brand names like Conzip, Qdolo, Ultram and Ultram ER. Tramadol is found in market in many forms, like immediate and extended-release tablets, capsules, oral liquids and even injections. Tramadol has two types of mechanisms, one is binding with mu-opiod receptors and produce a chemical named O-desmethyltramadol (M1). The other job of the drug is to release norepinephrine and serotonin in our brain, by reacting with its reuptake inhibitors. One might feel relaxed and euphoric after all these processes. It is labelled as a Schedule IV controlled substance. 

How does a Dog Take Tramadol?

Dogs can act very erratically to any medication, and Tramadol is one of them, known for its bitter taste. Primarily, Tramadol is given to dogs orally in tablets and capsules. You can mix Tramadol in small portions in their meals or treats if they do not like the taste of the medicine. This also helps in avoiding vomiting by dogs because they do not feel the bitterness anymore if Tramadol is blended with their food. Vets can also prescribe oral liquid solutions of Tramadol to dogs, which must be given in measuring cups in millilitres. Speaking of veterinarians, they can inject the drug in the dog’s veins, muscles and in the scuff area. 

Uses of Tramadol for Dogs

Tramadol has been prescribed to dogs for pain relief for a long time, but recent studies have questioned how effective Tramadol can be for pain relief in animals. Still, historically, dogs have been administered Tramadol for various purposes, such as chronic pain and post-operative surgical pain. Tramadol has helped dogs with their cancer pain. People have also seen a positive effect of the drug for tremors and seizures in their dogs. Tramadol is mostly given in combinations with Gabapentin and NSAIDs like Galliprant, Metacam, and Rimadyl. It is important to know that Tramadol is prescribed as an “off-label” remedy for pain relief in dogs by veterinarians.

Is Tramadol Safe for Dogs?

In general, Tramadol is seen as a much safer option than opioids like Morphine, Fentanyl, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, and others. Tramadol is also less toxic than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like  Ketorolac, Advil, and Tylenol. So, for humans, Tramadol is safe. But when it comes to dogs, one has to be quite cautious while administering an animal with controlled human drug. Tramadol might be safe for dogs, but its effectiveness has been debated. It is often given with some inflammatory and neuropathic drugs to dogs so that it provides them proper pain relief. Mixing the drugs might give safer and better results.

Is Tramadol Addictive for Dogs?

Dogs can get addicted to Tramadol, and the reason it happens is the mechanism of the drug. No, dogs do not have the ability to produce metabolites in the cells, so this function has nothing to do with dogs overdosing on Tramadol. It is the second function, that is, reacting with reuptake inhibitors of serotonin and norepinephrine, which initiates this addiction. Serotonin levels might rise if the dog is given some other drug with Tramadol that can increase that chemical in the system. This might lead to an overdose and develop into a condition called serotonin syndrome. This syndrome might lead to many problems like extreme sedation, dizziness and unfortunately even coma or death for dogs.

Side Effects of Tramadol for Dogs

While veterinarians believe Tramadol is one of the best pain medications for dogs, it has a lot of side effects that drastically affect the dog’s well-being. Dogs might feel very dizzy, but at times they become very angry or excited. Let us understand more of these side effects in detail.

Common Side Effects

• Extreme sleepiness: Tramadol is an opioid; it should be a depressant, but it also reacts with inhibitors like a stimulant. The dual effects make the dogs feel too euphoric and sleepy.
• Nausea and Vomiting: Dogs usually do not like the bitter taste of Tramadol. So vomiting can be natural.
• Dizziness: For the same reasons as sleepiness and drowsiness, dogs might feel very dizzy and move frantically.
• Anxiety, Anger, Excitement: Tramadol can change a lot more than pain perceptions in the brain of dogs. This change in the brain’s chemistry leads to excitement, restlessness and agitation.

Serious Side Effects

• Seizures: The medication’s effects on the nervous system often lead to tremors in dogs.
• Losing Consciousness: Severe overdose due to combined medication can knock out dogs in no time.
• Breathing Issues: As an opioid, Tramadol overdose will show its serious effects on the respiratory system, causing slowed breathing.
• Serotonin Syndrome: Perhaps the most dangerous side effect, which can lead to high serotonin levels, causing muscle stiffness, high body temperatures and even coma or death.

Pain Relief Alternatives for Dogs

If your dog has faced any kind of issues because it was administered Tramadol, then ask the veterinarian who is treating your dog, and they might change the medications for pain relief. 

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may not be safer than Tramadol, but their newer versions in the market have fewer side effects than the opioid painkiller. These  NSAIDs include Rimadyl, Metacam and Galliprant.
• Other opioids, like Butorphanol and Buprenorphine, can be safer than Tramadol if they are given to dogs properly under the vet’s advice.
• Gabapentin and Amantadine are two neuropathic drugs that, when combined with Tramadol, can give better results.
• Cannabidiol and Curcumin serve as the two best natural alternatives for pain in both humans and dogs.

Conclusion

There’s a famous saying that a dog is man’s best friend, and nobody wants their good pets to be in any kind of pain. Tramadol has been the answer to this for years, and even after being labelled as a controlled substance in 2014, it has been a top recommendation of many veterinarians. It is important to give Tramadol to your dog carefully, because it is a strong opioid.