Information about Tramadol for Pets

Tramadol has become a popular prescription medication for treating a variety of health-related issues in humans to include arthritis, fibromyalgia, MS, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, and so on but also certain injuries and post-surgical situations. Because this drug works great for moderate to moderately severe pain, it has a wide range of uses. However, something that many people are surprised to learn is that Tramadol for pets is also a viable treatment option. In fact, there are a number of human drugs used for treating animals although Tramadol is considered the most advantageous.

There would be some unique differences in how Tramadol is prescribed for animals versus humans especially when it comes to dose but using Tramadol for pets has been shown to be an extremely good option. After all, animals experience many of the same injuries and illnesses as people so this makes perfect sense. Of course, it would be imperative to work with a veterinarian who is knowledgeable about all the pros and cons associated with prescribing this particular drug.

Remember, animals feel pain in much the same way as humans do but determining the level and complexity can be somewhat of a challenge since they cannot speak. Even so, a reputable veterinarian would know the specific signs to ask about or look for such as restlessness, heavy panting, shaking, whining or constant meowing, dilated eyes, fast heart rate, salivation, poor appetite, lethargy, limping, hiding, and behavioral changes. Based on the findings, it might be determined that Tramadol is the best course of action.

Benefits of Tramadol

While there are several different prescription medications a veterinarian could consider, Tramadol is often considered first. One of the key benefits to prescribing this drug is that it produces much the same effects as morphine but it is non-addictive. Because of this, the owner can focus attention on getting the animal back to a good state of health without worrying about another problem. Keep in mind that there are rare cases when dependency can become an issue, for the most part this is not a concern.

Another reason for using Tramadol for pets is that it offers relief for different types and levels of pain. As an example, if a dog were to sprain a leg from jumping, Tramadol would be a viable option. On the other hand, if a dog were to undergo surgery or perhaps has arthritis, which are both more painful conditions, this drug would work. Having the ability to treat so many conditions of moderate to moderately severely pain is a huge benefit that other drugs do not offer.

While there are times when Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory or NSAIDs are prescribed, most veterinarians prefer to take a different route. Dogs typically respond favorably to NSAIDs whereas cats do not handle these types of drugs very well. Now, there is one drug in this category called Meloxicam that works but it can only be given to cats once and as a post-surgery injection. The risk is that additional or long-term use can cause severe kidney damage.

Again, cats typically do very well with Tramadol, as do other animals. In fact, most veterinarians agree this drug is a safer alternative for all animals, which is one reason for its growing popularity. For all animals to include cats, Tramadol can be used safely for chronic pain associated with injury or illness but also post-surgical pain. Although not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration or FDA, Tramadol for pets is still deemed a great choice.

Tramadol is an inexpensive medication. Unfortunately, many drugs prescribed for animals are costly just as they are for humans. Having the ability to provide a beloved pet with pain relief but without spending a fortune is yet another plus. The bottom line is that Tramadol for animals is a great option and one that an increasing number of veterinarians depend on. For pet owners, there is a sense of peace knowing there is an effective, safe, and affordable solution for ensuring an animal's pain relief.

On a final note, it is important for people to know that at no time should a prescription of Tramadol for a human be offered to an animal. Even though the drug is the same for the most part, dosage is a critical factor that needs to be determined by a trained professional. Therefore, if someone has an animal in pain for whatever reason, treatment should be left to a veterinarian.