Improving the Effectiveness of Tramadol in Dogs Through Understanding Cyp Metabolism

Preventing and managing pain in dogs has become a fundamental part of the quality of veterinary care and it is essential for overall well-being. As veterinarians we have the ethical responsibility to recognize, assess, prevent and treat pain in animals under our care. Untreated pain can decrease the quality of life of our patients, prolong healing and recovery, and increase the risk of possible complications. Our role in pain management is not complete until we implement an analgesic plan.¹ Analgesics commonly used in dogs are the opioids, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and analgesic adjuncts such as ketamine, gabapentin, local anesthetics, and the alpha-2 agonists. The choice of drug is going to depend on the underlying cause of pain and the severity and duration2 of pain. Knowledge of the pharmacology of analgesic drugs in our patients is required to optimize drug selections. [...]