Tramadol: anyone use it frequently (for rabbit)

parsnipbun · Dec 6, 2012

Is there a reason why a rabbit shouldn't have tramadol on an almost daily basis (if the cause of the pain cannot be 'removed')?

What are side effects etc?

and also would it be 'better'/different to just up the metacam dose or does it work differently?

GrahamL · Dec 6, 2012

I think Sky-O used it for over a week with Sandy during her obstruction/impaction :wave:

When metacam just wasn't enough even at a high dose.

We're also going to be getting some for Ginger, for when she has an episode, as metacam isn't enough then either.

Sorry, that doesn't really help much does it?

Jack's-Jane · Dec 7, 2012

parsnipbun said:
Is there a reason why a rabbit shouldn't have tramadol on an almost daily basis (if the cause of the pain cannot be 'removed')?

What are side effects etc?

and also would it be 'better'/different to just up the metacam dose or does it work differently?

I would imagine it would be due to the potential Liver toxicity

But if it is being used for a Rabbit with a Terminal Illness who has pain that is not being controlled by anything else then really the potential LT risks are irrelevant. Quality of the remaining life of the Rabbit is what matters so I would rather the Rabbit had ongoing Tramadol if that was the only analgesic that helped. I would accept the potential risks.

Sky-O · Dec 7, 2012

I've used it in long term 'on the edge' bunnies. Lightning has a large mandibular abscess and the Tramadol has helped him return to 'normal' and live his life in his normal, cheeky fashion. He's been on it two months and counting. Done that with another couple of abscess bunnies too, but not for as long.

I've not seen any visible side effects- it's only helped, and I also find it seems to start to work very quickly.

I agree with Jane. I use it as a 'quality over quantity' drug and and wouldn't change using it. I use it when needed, but if that means there is a chance the bunny will have a shorter life due to the med use, I'd rather that than a longer life, but in pain.

Jack's-Jane · Dec 7, 2012

Sky-O said:
I've used it in long term 'on the edge' bunnies. Lightning has a large mandibular abscess and the Tramadol has helped him return to 'normal' and live his life in his normal, cheeky fashion. He's been on it two months and counting. Done that with another couple of abscess bunnies too, but not for as long.

I've not seen any visible side effects- it's only helped, and I also find it seems to start to work very quickly.

I agree with Jane. I use it as a 'quality over quantity' drug and and wouldn't change using it. I use it when needed, but if that means there is a chance the bunny will have a shorter life due to the med use, I'd rather that than a longer life, but in pain.

Agree 100%

parsnipbun · Dec 7, 2012

Thank you for that helpful advice and input.

We have discovered that yesterday when Parsley had his ear cleaned the (junior) vet nurse who did it mistook some exposed white cartiledge for pus and squeezed rather too much to try and get it out :shock::shock: and then didnt realise that not eating very much was a HUGE pain sign for Parsley (who will eat a bucket of greens a day even at the vets).

He has been in again today and has proper clean and some ketamin to go with it - he finds his ear pinnas very sensitive and always reacts badly to even small swellings in them (as opposed to the 2cm diam ball of puss in his head which he totally ignores:shock

The vet is actually happier with him now than she was a couple of days ago when she was concerned the infection in the bulla might be coming back (after removal of bulla this can happen and it swells in other places) as we had pus low down in pinna/head area . . . though he still has a worrying swelling in the lymph node and has not had his bloods redone to see if anaemia any improved. But one thing at a time . . .

Jack's-Jane · Dec 7, 2012

parsnipbun said:
Thank you for that helpful advice and input.

We have discovered that yesterday when Parsley had his ear cleaned the (junior) vet nurse who did it mistook some exposed white cartiledge for pus and squeezed rather too much to try and get it out :shock::shock: and then didnt realise that not eating very much was a HUGE pain sign for Parsley (who will eat a bucket of greens a day even at the vets).

He has been in again today and has proper clean and some ketamin to go with it - he finds his ear pinnas very sensitive and always reacts badly to even small swellings in them (as opposed to the 2cm diam ball of puss in his head which he totally ignores:shock

The vet is actually happier with him now than she was a couple of days ago when she was concerned the infection in the bulla might be coming back (after removal of bulla this can happen and it swells in other places) as we had pus low down in pinna/head area . . . though he still has a worrying swelling in the lymph node and has not had his bloods redone to see if anaemia any improved. But one thing at a time . . .

Poor boy, what an awful time he is having. He must have been in so much pain

natsusakura · Dec 7, 2012

Poor parsley

that sounds horrendously painful

Tramadol: anyone use it frequently (for rabbit)

parsnipbun

Wise Old Thumper

GrahamL

Wise Old Thumper

Jack's-Jane

Wise Old Thumper

Sky-O

Wise Old Thumper

Jack's-Jane

Wise Old Thumper

parsnipbun

Wise Old Thumper

Jack's-Jane

Wise Old Thumper

natsusakura

Warren Veteran

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