Tramadol in pets- any experiences?

[bexVN]

Hi all, hoping some of you may have some experience of using this drug in their pets (though I obviously don't wish your pets to be in pain!)

My little Fitz cat has had long time joint issues with his back legs, long story short he is trying Tramadol for the first time.

He's had his first dose tonight and he appears to be high as a kite (even though he's on the low end dose) I was expecting this to an extent but he does seem worse than I thought. I was wondering how quickly your pets got accustomed to the drug and whether to persevere at this dose or to reduce it tomorrow. I will of course be asking my vet tom but as it is a drug with variable reactions I thought I'd ask other pet owners experiences aswell. Thank you in advance

[bexVN]

Thanks for the replies,

He was still not with it this morning after the dose last night, so we've decided not to continue the current dose regime and reduce to half a tablet bid (2.5mg bid instead of 7.5mg tid), much lower than the guidlelines and slowly increase to effect. I want him pain free but not off his head esp as this is hopefully a longer term treatment, not just a post op recovery (it would've been ideal if it was for this!)

He is exceptionally sensitive to Buprenorphine and has to have half the normal dose so it's not a complete surprise that he reacted in this way (though I did try and avoid it by going low end of the dose range)

I do have such a 'special' cat

[bexVN]

Jasandjules said:

Bex have a look into Willow Tea..........

Is it a natural nsaid/ pain relief...I'm open to trying it, I do have to be a bit careful as he has several different ailments that have to be considered

I'm not having a lot of luck on google, the only thing I have found relating to Willow so far is to help with calming/ ferociousness, malicousness and toileting outside of a litter tray, none of these are applicable??

Edited by bexVN on Wednesday 18th July 20:48

[bexVN]

Jasandjules said:

http://www.grammasintl.com/html/products/products_...

Well it seems to cover everything!?

However I have a few concerns, how much testing on cats has there been, cats can react weirdly to things, what would the dose rate be, could there be a risk on his kidneys? (this wouldn't stop me using it just would want to be aware) and being a blood thinning agent concerns me a bit!

If you have a cat related site re: this medicine I'd be really grateful, if not I do know a homeopathic vet I could email.

Sorry for all the questions!!

[bexVN]

:heh: thanks Eric, never even thought of it like that! I realise that I ask a lot of questions about products I'm not so familiar with esp when they are to be used on my four legged friends (and when applicable my son, I'm a doctors nightmare!!), can't help it!

[bexVN]

Jasandjules said:

bexVN said:

Well it seems to cover everything!?

However I have a few concerns, how much testing on cats has there been, cats can react weirdly to things, what would the dose rate be, could there be a risk on his kidneys? (this wouldn't stop me using it just would want to be aware) and being a blood thinning agent concerns me a bit!

If you have a cat related site re: this medicine I'd be really grateful, if not I do know a homeopathic vet I could email.

Sorry for all the questions!!

I've not used it on cats, only dogs so I would not like to say. I would imagine the Grammas site will be able to help with some questions - they were very helpful to us when we were asking about our dog. One thing I will say though is that it is not tasty stuff so the cat might not be keen to drink it - but it can be mixed with lactofree (at least we did!).

Do you know Alan Slater?

No, Holly Nash and also Nick Thompson (I assume Alan Slater is a homeopathic vet)

[bexVN]

Nedzilla said:

Never gave it to a pet but I got some off a mate as an emergency after doing my back in and was completely off my box for about 12 hours!!

apparently it doesn't work in all people as it relies on an enzyme to break it down to its effective components and some people do not have this enzyme. They don't if this could be the same for dogs or cats (not been tested as not licensed). Judging by my cats reaction it he definitely did repsond to it and he probably felt like you did!!

[bexVN]

Jasandjules said:

bexVN said:

No, Holly Nash and also Nick Thompson (I assume Alan Slater is a homeopathic vet)

Yes he is. In theory any good homeopath will be able to talk you through Willow tea though.

Ok, thanks for the info, I'll give one of them a bell.

Good news, he was much better on the low dose, could still see it affected him but functioning this time . Plan is to slowly up dose to ensure therapeutic levels.

[bexVN]

Hi. Fitz is 17 now and has had arthritic changes occuring for almost 7 years. Initially managed with neutraceuticals then Meloxicam. Last year he stopped tolerating Meloxicam and developed pancreatitis, management in his case was with steroids so definitely no more Meloxicam. He has been coping with the steroids but his stiffness etc has got noticeably worse in recent weeks as well as weakness. I didn't fancy oral buprenorphine for him so Tramadol was suggested (we now stock 5mg tabs) as we didn't really want him on 10mg preds every day.

So far he is doing ok on 2.5mg Tramadol bid. At the weekend I am going to see how he copes with 5mg bid as the lower dose isn't enough to make a huge difference to his comfort and mobility.

My priority is to ensure he is as pain free as poss but not permanently off his head! Hopefully I'll find a balance for both. Still need to look into this willow tea aswell!

[bexVN]

No, I stopped thd neutraceuticals after his pancreatitis, looking to restart it now. Why would pred and tramadol not mix, may have to ck that one.

No worries re his name, he's not offended

Thanks for the help. I agree lower doses of all treatments much better.

Edited by bexVN on Friday 20th July 20:27

[bexVN]

Not well, son's had ckn pox and he's had it quite bad so been a bit distracted. I've not had chance to look into the Willow Tea but to be honest I'm not sure what to do. He's not good and it doesn't seem to make a difference if he is on pain relief or not. He seems to be spending his days keeping himself to himself, sleeping, drinking more than ever, still eating but he just looks miserable 90% of the time etc

Truth is I don't know what to do for the best, what I do know is I do nothing but worry about him and watch him trying to decide what to do.

Knowing him he'll bounce back next wk and I'll have been worrying over nothing (or am I kidding myself :'()

[bexVN]

Thank you so much, I would be very grateful, you're making me cry (I think I'm a bit emotional at the mo!) If it is ood don't worry and I will get onto getting some.

I will obviously reimburse the cost if you do send any.

[bexVN]

Jasandjules said:

Just send me your address via e-mail and I will get that squared away (will check it first though!!) and don't worry about it.

YHM