Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic agent that is increasingly being used to treat pain in cats, though limited data are available on analgesic efficacy. Six healthy adult cats were used in this study to determine the thermal antinociceptive effect of the oral administration of tramadol at doses between 0.5 and 4 mg/kg in cats. An antinociceptive effect refers to reduction of sensitivity to painful stimuli. Results showed that doses of 2 mg/kg and higher were necessary to yield a significant and sustained effect. All six cats exhibited mydriasis (dilated pupils) after administration of 3 and 4 mg/kg. Three of the six cats appeared to have a facial itch at different doses of 2, 3, and 4 mg/kg, respectively. No clinically important adverse effect was observed in the cats though this study was not designed to assess the safety of tramadol in cats. This study suggests that a dose of 4 mg/kg given every 6 hours will maintain analgesia close to the maximum effect of tramadol. [VT]
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Brondani JT, Loureiro Luna SP, Beier SL, Minto BW, Padovani CR. Analgesic efficacy of perioperative use of vedaprofen, tramadol or their combination in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery. 2009;11(6):420-429.
Pypendop BH, Ilkiw JE. Pharmacokinetics of tramadol, and its metabolite O-desmethyl-tramadol, in cats. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. Feb 2008;31(1):52-59.
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Pypendop BH, Siao KT, Ilkiw JE. Effects of tramadol hydrochloride on the thermal threshold in cats. Am J Vet Res. Dec 2009;70(12):1465-1470.
Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic agent that is increasingly being used to treat pain in cats, though limited data are available on analgesic efficacy. Six healthy adult cats were used in this study to determine the thermal antinociceptive effect of the oral administration of tramadol at doses between 0.5 and 4 mg/kg in cats. An antinociceptive effect refers to reduction of sensitivity to painful stimuli. Results showed that doses of 2 mg/kg and higher were necessary to yield a significant and sustained effect. All six cats exhibited mydriasis (dilated pupils) after administration of 3 and 4 mg/kg. Three of the six cats appeared to have a facial itch at different doses of 2, 3, and 4 mg/kg, respectively. No clinically important adverse effect was observed in the cats though this study was not designed to assess the safety of tramadol in cats. This study suggests that a dose of 4 mg/kg given every 6 hours will maintain analgesia close to the maximum effect of tramadol. [VT]
Related articles:
Brondani JT, Loureiro Luna SP, Beier SL, Minto BW, Padovani CR. Analgesic efficacy of perioperative use of vedaprofen, tramadol or their combination in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery. 2009;11(6):420-429.
Pypendop BH, Ilkiw JE. Pharmacokinetics of tramadol, and its metabolite O-desmethyl-tramadol, in cats. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. Feb 2008;31(1):52-59.
More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
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New for 2010: Subscribe to our e-newsletter
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Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic agent that is increasingly being used to treat pain in cats, though limited data are available on analgesic efficacy. Six healthy adult cats were used in this study to determine the thermal antinociceptive effect of the oral administration of tramadol at doses between 0.5 and 4 mg/kg in cats. An antinociceptive effect refers to reduction of sensitivity to painful stimuli. Results showed that doses of 2 mg/kg and higher were necessary to yield a significant and sustained effect. All six cats exhibited mydriasis (dilated pupils) after administration of 3 and 4 mg/kg. Three of the six cats appeared to have a facial itch at different doses of 2, 3, and 4 mg/kg, respectively. No clinically important adverse effect was observed in the cats though this study was not designed to assess the safety of tramadol in cats. This study suggests that a dose of 4 mg/kg given every 6 hours will maintain analgesia close to the maximum effect of tramadol. [VT]
Related articles:
Brondani JT, Loureiro Luna SP, Beier SL, Minto BW, Padovani CR. Analgesic efficacy of perioperative use of vedaprofen, tramadol or their combination in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery. 2009;11(6):420-429.
Pypendop BH, Ilkiw JE. Pharmacokinetics of tramadol, and its metabolite O-desmethyl-tramadol, in cats. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. Feb 2008;31(1):52-59.
More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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