If you’ve ever taken tramadol, then you know how effective it is at treating pain. Whether you’ve had a minor surgery or you suffer from migraines, tramadol is very effective at getting rid of the pain quickly. No matter what you’ve been prescribed tramadol for, you might be tempted to use it for your dog if they’re suffering from some kind of pain.
Can I Give My Dog Tramadol?
Tramadol is safe for dogs and commonly prescribed after surgery or for treating both long- and short-term pain.
Is Tramadol Safe for Dogs?
Tramadol is safe to use in most dogs and some studies have indicated it’s safer than NSAIDs, like Rimadyl (carprofen), in some dogs. It does interact poorly with certain medications that many dogs are commonly taking, like MAOIs, opioids, or SSRIs. Because of this, you should never give your dog a dose of tramadol unless you’ve talked to your vet and they know what drugs your dog is currently on.
Tramadol should never be given to dogs with kidney disease, a poorly functioning liver, a history of seizures, or poor lung function. Pregnant dogs should never take tramadol, either.
Does Tramadol Have Any Side Effects?
Tramadol’s side effects are mild unless the drug has been given in excess. The most common side effect is drowsiness. You might also notice nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, anxiety, and panting. More infrequent side effects include diarrhea, itching, rashes, rapid heart rate, seizures, fainting, and dizziness. Itching, diarrhea, and rashes indicate a potential allergic reaction, so if you notice a series of side effects occurring at once, discontinue the medication and call your vet immediately.
Overdose symptoms include a depressed respiration rate or difficulty breathing, excessive drowsiness, vomiting, seizures, incoordination, coma, and death. If you think your dog is experiencing an overdose, you should call your veterinarian immediately and take your dog in right away. The sooner you get your dog treated, the more likely it is they’ll survive the overdose.
How Much Tramadol Can I Give My Dog?
Dosing a dog can be tricky and you should always consult with your veterinarian for optimal dosing. While there is a maximum dose for dogs, your dog will rarely need that large of a dose unless they’re in excruciating pain. In that case, they’ll require further evaluation from their vet to see if alternative drugs should be used. As stated above, an overdose can be fatal to your dog. Deciding how much your dog needs without consulting with your veterinarian first can be a life or death decision for your dog.
The typical dog dosage of tramadol for dogs begins at 0.5mg/lb and goes all the way up to 1.8 mg/lb every 8 to 12 hours. The dosage will depend on what type of pain is being treated (surgical pain versus pain from a minor injury). More severe pain will require a higher dose, while some dogs may require a higher dose just because their body doesn’t react very well to a lower dose.
Tramadol comes in two formulations: regular and extended release. The extended release tablets are made for humans and aren’t very good for a dog’s digestive tract because it takes so long to break them down. These tablets are often passed undigested, meaning your dog won’t get any relief from their pain.
What Can I Give My Dog for Pain?
Pain should never be treated with human medications. Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve are all toxic to dogs and could damage their liver and kidneys or even kill them. If your dog has pain due to an injury, arthritis, or after a surgery, your vet might offer you a different prescription medication like Rimadyl, Deramaxx, or Metacam. These belong to the NSAID family and work very well to relieve a variety of pain. They can affect the liver and kidneys, so your vet may require bloodwork if your dog is going to be on them long-term to ensure those organs are strong enough to handle it.
If your dog is suffering from joint problems, you can try joint supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine. Some people have reported success in treating their dog’s minor joint pain with fatty acids like fish oil.
Tramadol is only available through your veterinarian, so it’s unlikely you’ll come across an instance where you have the option to give your dog a dose without your vet’s input. Your vet is the best source for doing the right things for your dog’s health, so never be afraid to ask them for help.
Hi, I’m Jacob. I’ve been a professional blogger for over 6 years and in that time I’ve written countless blogs that have reached millions of people. I am a DVM by profession but all you need to know is that I LOVE DOGS!
SDO started way back in 2015 on a whim. I’d read a couple of dozen blogs online while searching for the best products for my pup and the amount of misinformation online from unqualified sources giving potentially harmful advice shocked me. Then suddenly it hit me, hey, I can do this too! And I can do this RIGHT! Without even knowing what a blog was or how it makes money. I jumped right in to share the years of knowledge I have of dogs with the world.
Within a few months I realized that people were reacting extremely positively to my blogs. My website had taken off and I would receive countless emails from happy dog owners telling me how my website was a God-send for them and their pups were doing so much better after they followed my advice. I would get so many questions as well, and in my attempt to consolidate and answer all the questions I would get from my readers, my blog has evolved to the website you see today. Over the years I encouraged my good friend Tina who is also a DVM to share her experiences and better guide the people who read us. By the Grace of God we now reach close a million people a year and we get such a warm feedback on how we have made life easier for new dog owners all over the globe.
As a dog owner only you would know the feeling you get when you come home at night and you pup is there at the door wagging their tail in sheer joy. The bond a person and their dog share can not be explained in mere words. Yet dogs are like children, and they need to be cared for and trained, and that’s why Smart Dog Owner exists, to give you the precise and exact information that you seek about your dog. No matter how minute that detail is, chances are we will be there to help you out! As someone who has raised 7 of her own dogs. Jacob will always help you out.
