Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Has anyone had experience with Tramadol? The Metacam quit working with Lexie and the doc prescribed Tramadol. Her dosage is the max of 150 mg every 8 hours. He also said if it appeared to sedate her to reduce the dosage to 75mg. Her first dose with the 150 mg and it was nappy time for Lex. She got up and ate dinner and went out then nap time again. I reduce her last dose to 75mg at bedtime. I might add that even with the high dose she would still limp. Yesterday morning I reduce the dose to 50 mg and gave her a dose of Metacam. The remainer of the day I gave her the 75mg dose and this morning the 75 mg dose with Metacam. The tramadol still causes her to nap. She doesn't act like she is drugged but simply napping. Even with the tramadol and Metacam she is still limping. I'll be talking to the vet tomorrow.

One thing for sure, she isn't acting like my Lexie. Instead of nappping in the chair or couch even in the living room. She is going into the bedroom. She's eating fine and going out but that's about all.

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Harry and the kids
Nancy's daughter, Pansy,
Katie, Bea, Ghost & Lexie
Lola @ the bridge
Nancy @ the bridge
Vinka @ the bridge
Max @ the bridge
Dart @ the bridge

Adopt a Greyhound, I did 10 times

Harry,
We use Tramadol quite a bit at work. Mona was just recently on it for some back/neck issues which we are still watching but she seems to be a bit better now (trying to avoid a back surgery with her)
Sometimes we use Tramadol in conjunction with other meds---in Mona's case, she was on Pred, Diazepam and Tramadol. We hit her heavy with it at first (she's only 22# after all) and she was either sleeping or looking quite drunk most of the time. I opted to keep her that way for the first couple of days as it prevented her from jumping up onto the furniture and running around like a maniac which I knew she would do if she felt better.
We are currently tapering down the Pred (wonderful drug but I hate giving it because of all the excessive drinking/urinating that happens) She is finished with the Diazepam and the Tramadol is here to be given on an "as needed" basis.
Tramadol can cause her to be sleepy. Has her DVM discussed possibly placing a Fentanyl or Duragesic patch on her ? That lasts for around 4 days of constant pain control. There are some drawback to that too though---I've seen a couple of dogs have a reaction to the adhesive that holds the patch on, and some become really anxious from the drug. The good thing about either of these reactions is that the patch is clear so you can see if the skin is red or irritated underneath it and, in both cases, the reaction seems to stop soon after the patch is removed. It's something to consider or at least ask your DVM about. Not all Veterinarians carry these patches but he/she may be able to get one from another hospital.

I hope that info helps and didn't just make your head spin.
Feel free to shoot me an e-mail if you have any other questions.

Good luck !!
Hugs to you all !
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Lori and her kids
Posh
Mona
Logan
and
Beaker B

Bridgekids:
Billy GST#369 12/22/04-10/09/08
Minnie 1993-2007
Snoopy 1990-2006
Jarvis 1985-2005

we tried the patch with our first and he had a reaction and was panting and anixous. We let him go the next day.
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Linda C.
Flame (Drinkin Dr. Pepper), Star (Starwind), Memmie (Sweet Memories), Riley(FTH Black Dahlia), Jeremy (Rapido Jeremy)
Bridge Kids: Hawk, Beecher, & Tessie

Thanks for your imput. We've got a handle on it now. I reduced her Tramadol dosage to 75 mg 3x a day with a dose of Metacam. She doing wonderful now. Now if I can just get her to slow down a little. She'll race into the beroom, ponce on and start playing with stuffies. If she goes into the yard with the other kids, she wants to play and starts play bowing and jumping around so I have to keep a sharp eye on her. Right now she is her normal loving and sweet self.

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Harry and the kids
Nancy's daughter, Pansy,
Katie, Bea, Ghost & Lexie
Lola @ the bridge
Nancy @ the bridge
Vinka @ the bridge
Max @ the bridge
Dart @ the bridge

Adopt a Greyhound, I did 10 times

Harry... I am so glad that you found a balance with the meds to give her some relief.. yet allow her to spend a bit more time in a loving home. Bless you!!!
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Joy J with
Lilly, the greyhound,
Rascal and Rex, cairn terriers, and
Mackie, the scottie

Thank goodness Harry. I am so sorry. Osteo is a terrible thing.
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Linda C.
Flame (Drinkin Dr. Pepper), Star (Starwind), Memmie (Sweet Memories), Riley(FTH Black Dahlia), Jeremy (Rapido Jeremy)
Bridge Kids: Hawk, Beecher, & Tessie