Tramadol
Also known as: Ultram, Ultram ER, Ryzolt, Rybix ODT, Ultracet, Tralieve, Tramadol ER, Zamadol
### For Pet Owners: * **Administration:** Can be given with or without food. If your pet vomits after taking it on an empty stomach, try giving future doses with a small treat or meal. * **Taste:** The medication has a very bitter taste. Cats, in particular, may drool excessively or resist taking it. Do not crush or break extended-release tablets. * **Behavioral Changes:** May cause changes in alertness. Your pet might seem unusually sleepy, or conversely, anxious, restless, or vocal (especially cats). Contact your veterinarian if these signs are severe. * **Patience is Key:** For chronic conditions like arthritis, it may take up to two weeks of consistent dosing to see the full pain-relieving benefits. * **Safety Warning:** Keep out of reach of children and other pets. **NEVER** give your pet human medications containing tramadol combined with acetaminophen (like Ultracet), as acetaminophen is highly toxic and often fatal to cats.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Starting dose
- Current dosing recommendations
- Chronic pain
- Analgesia
- Analgesia
- Analgesia
- Chronic laminitis pain
- General/Non-responsive pain
- Analgesic
- Chronic pain
- Mild acute and chronic soft tissue and musculoskeletal pain
- Perioperative acute pain
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Dogs: Excessive sedation, agitation, anxiety, tremor, dizziness
- Dogs: Inappetence, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea
- Cats: Dysphoria, mydriasis, dose avoidance (unpalatability)
- Humans: Pruritus (approx. 10%)
- Injectable form: Respiratory and cardiac depression
- Sedation (especially at high doses in dogs)
- Dysphoria (more likely in cats)
- Nausea
- Behavioral changes
- Increased risk of seizures
Cautions & contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to tramadol or other opioids
- Combination products containing acetaminophen (e.g., Ultracet) are STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED in cats
- Concurrent use with MAOIs (e.g., selegiline, amitraz) due to risk of serotonin syndrome
- Patients with a history of epilepsy or seizure disorders
- Concurrent use with MAOIs
- > **Important Warnings:** * **Seizure Risk:** Use with caution in animals with preexisting seizure disorders or those receiving drugs that lower the seizure threshold. Tramadol has caused seizures in humans. * **CNS/Respiratory Depression:** Use cautiously with other CNS or respiratory depressants. * **Geriatric/Debilitated Patients:** Use with caution; dosage adjustments may be needed for patients with impaired renal or hepatic function. * **Dependence & Withdrawal:** Physical dependence can occur; withdraw gradually after chronic use. * **Formulation Warning:** Extended-release tablets must **not** be broken, crushed, or chewed, as this can lead to rapid absorption and toxicity. Dogs do not absorb ER tablets well.
Drug interactions
- Digoxin: Rarely linked to digoxin toxicity in humans.
- MAO Inhibitors (amitraz, selegiline): Potential for fatal serotonin syndrome; concurrent use should be avoided.
- Ondansetron: May reduce the effectiveness of both drugs.
- Quinidine: May increase tramadol concentrations and decrease M1 (active metabolite) concentrations.
- SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine): Theoretically could cause additive serotonergic effects.
- Sevoflurane: Pretreatment with tramadol reduced MAC values by approximately 30% in dogs and 40% in cats.
- SSRI Antidepressants (fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine): Can inhibit the metabolism of tramadol to its active metabolites, decreasing efficacy and increasing the risk of toxicity (serotonin syndrome, seizures).
- Tricyclic Antidepressants (clomipramine, amitriptyline): Increased risk for seizures; amitriptyline may inhibit tramadol metabolism.
- Warfarin: Increased PT and INR reported in humans (relatively rare).
- Amitriptyline: Increased risk of serotonin syndrome
Frequently asked questions
What is Tramadol used for in pets?
### For Pet Owners: * **Administration:** Can be given with or without food. If your pet vomits after taking it on an empty stomach, try giving future doses with a small treat or meal. * **Taste:** The medication has a very bitter taste. Cats, in particular, may drool excessively or resist taking it. Do not crush or break extended-release tablets. * **Behavioral Changes:** May cause changes in alertness. Your pet might seem unusually sleepy, or conversely, anxious, restless, or vocal (especially cats). Contact your veterinarian if these signs are severe. * **Patience is Key:** For chronic conditions like arthritis, it may take up to two weeks of consistent dosing to see the full pain-relieving benefits. * **Safety Warning:** Keep out of reach of children and other pets. **NEVER** give your pet human medications containing tramadol combined with acetaminophen (like Ultracet), as acetaminophen is highly toxic and often fatal to cats.
Is Tramadol safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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