Help regarding Tramadol

Hi All,

Does anyone know if Tramadol can stop rabbits form eating or at least slow their gut? My bun had her Tramadol dose increased a week ago to 3 times a day at 0.1ml (previously twice daily). She has no appetite and just picks at her hay and eats only a small amount of grass, she doesn't go near her nuggets. She is now rapidly losing weight so I'm wondering if it's the Tramadol increase or just her?

barbandbubs said:

Hi All,

Does anyone know if Tramadol can stop rabbits form eating or at least slow their gut? My bun had her Tramadol dose increased a week ago to 3 times a day at 0.1ml (previously twice daily). She has no appetite and just picks at her hay and eats only a small amount of grass, she doesn't go near her nuggets. She is now rapidly losing weight so I'm wondering if it's the Tramadol increase or just her?

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It really depends on the individual Rabbit. Inappetence is a possible side effect, but not all Rabbits react in the same way. I would contact your Vet to discuss the situation xx

barbandbubs said:

Hi All,

Does anyone know if Tramadol can stop rabbits form eating or at least slow their gut? My bun had her Tramadol dose increased a week ago to 3 times a day at 0.1ml (previously twice daily). She has no appetite and just picks at her hay and eats only a small amount of grass, she doesn't go near her nuggets. She is now rapidly losing weight so I'm wondering if it's the Tramadol increase or just her?

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Yes I have known this affect rabbits in this way. What I found a good idea was to give Ranitidine half an hour before the Tramadol dose (also twice daily) to protect the stomach from gastric ulceration. Tramadol can be hard on the stomach, as can Metacam.

I should speak with your vet about it. It's not good when a rabbit loses weight - how old is she and is she taking Tramadol for arthritis?

Yes she does have arthritis and is just over 7. She is already on Ranitidine so I wondered if the reason for her not eating and drinking properly was due to having too much Tramadol?

barbandbubs said:

Yes she does have arthritis and is just over 7. She is already on Ranitidine so I wondered if the reason for her not eating and drinking properly was due to having too much Tramadol?

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I would contact the Vet as he/she may suggest reducing the dose and/or seeing your Rabbit again to re-evaluate things to see if there is anything else going on x

barbandbubs said:

Yes she does have arthritis and is just over 7. She is already on Ranitidine so I wondered if the reason for her not eating and drinking properly was due to having too much Tramadol?

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Tramadol can be very good where rabbits have arthritis. But as I said, it can also have side effects.

Have a look here about dosages for Tramadol.

http://www.medirabbit.com/Safe_medication/Analgesics/safe_analgesics.htm

My vet always errs on the side of caution and if anything, will prescribe slightly under the recommended dosage. So long as the meds work, you can alter the dose within a range.

It certainly could be a factor. In the case of my rabbit I had to solve the issue another way, but your vet is the first port of call. Ascertain were on the dosage scale the prescription falls, and take it from there.

There's some members' experiences here:

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?453164-Anyone-had-rabbits-on-tramadol

Some rabbits tolerate it really well. Others get dozy and zombie like (it's an opiod pain reliever) so not good for their appetite.

It can decrease gut motility as shown in this study:

http://www.iasj.net/iasj?func=fulltext&aId=6516