Peri-operative analgesic efficacy of tramadol in dogs and cats

Tramadol, classified as an 'atypical opioid', is a centrally acting analgesic that is easily available in injectable and oral preparations in Malaysia. Queries on its use and efficacy to manage pain in small animal practice prompted this review. Following tramadol administration in dogs, t...

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Main Authors: Chen, H. C., Ong, B. H. E., Kaka, U.
Format: Article
Published: Veterinary Association of Malaysia 2020
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author Chen, H. C.
Ong, B. H. E.
Kaka, U.
author_facet Chen, H. C.
Ong, B. H. E.
Kaka, U.
author_sort Chen, H. C.
collection UPM
description Tramadol, classified as an 'atypical opioid', is a centrally acting analgesic that is easily available in injectable and oral preparations in Malaysia. Queries on its use and efficacy to manage pain in small animal practice prompted this review. Following tramadol administration in dogs, there is lack of sedation and opioid effects when compared to cats. This may likely due to species difference in the production, metabolism and elimination of O-desmethyltramadol (M1). Good efficacy of tramadol was reported in both dogs and cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy and castration. Pre-emptive doses were administered via parenteral routes between 2 - 4 mg/kg, usually during premedication or after induction. Adequate pain control was reported with tramadol 2 mg/kg, SC every 8 hours following maxillectomy or mandibulectomy in dogs. Thus, adequate analgesia can be promoted with increase doses or repeated parenteral dosing following orthopaedic procedures. Repeated oral doses of tramadol as the sole analgesic were found to be less effective in dogs undergoing tibia plateau levelling osteotomy. Combinations of tramadol and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug were found to provide better post-operative analgesia in both dogs and cats.
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spelling upm.eprints-871202024-05-16T07:39:51Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/87120/ Peri-operative analgesic efficacy of tramadol in dogs and cats Chen, H. C. Ong, B. H. E. Kaka, U. Tramadol, classified as an 'atypical opioid', is a centrally acting analgesic that is easily available in injectable and oral preparations in Malaysia. Queries on its use and efficacy to manage pain in small animal practice prompted this review. Following tramadol administration in dogs, there is lack of sedation and opioid effects when compared to cats. This may likely due to species difference in the production, metabolism and elimination of O-desmethyltramadol (M1). Good efficacy of tramadol was reported in both dogs and cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy and castration. Pre-emptive doses were administered via parenteral routes between 2 - 4 mg/kg, usually during premedication or after induction. Adequate pain control was reported with tramadol 2 mg/kg, SC every 8 hours following maxillectomy or mandibulectomy in dogs. Thus, adequate analgesia can be promoted with increase doses or repeated parenteral dosing following orthopaedic procedures. Repeated oral doses of tramadol as the sole analgesic were found to be less effective in dogs undergoing tibia plateau levelling osteotomy. Combinations of tramadol and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug were found to provide better post-operative analgesia in both dogs and cats. Veterinary Association of Malaysia 2020 Article PeerReviewed Chen, H. C. and Ong, B. H. E. and Kaka, U. (2020) Peri-operative analgesic efficacy of tramadol in dogs and cats. Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia, 32 (2). pp. 1-8. ISSN 0128-2506 https://www.mavma.org.my/jvm/2020-volume-32-issue-no-2-dec
spellingShingle Chen, H. C.
Ong, B. H. E.
Kaka, U.
Peri-operative analgesic efficacy of tramadol in dogs and cats
title Peri-operative analgesic efficacy of tramadol in dogs and cats
title_full Peri-operative analgesic efficacy of tramadol in dogs and cats
title_fullStr Peri-operative analgesic efficacy of tramadol in dogs and cats
title_full_unstemmed Peri-operative analgesic efficacy of tramadol in dogs and cats
title_short Peri-operative analgesic efficacy of tramadol in dogs and cats
title_sort peri operative analgesic efficacy of tramadol in dogs and cats
work_keys_str_mv AT chenhc perioperativeanalgesicefficacyoftramadolindogsandcats
AT ongbhe perioperativeanalgesicefficacyoftramadolindogsandcats
AT kakau perioperativeanalgesicefficacyoftramadolindogsandcats