Typical dose: 2-5 mg/kg orally every 8-12 hours
Prescription medication. Never give without veterinary supervision. Tramadol is a controlled substance.
Tramadol is a synthetic opioid analgesic used in dogs for moderate to severe pain — post-surgical, orthopedic, cancer-related, and chronic pain. Standard dose: 2-5 mg/kg orally every 8-12 hours. Note: recent studies suggest tramadol provides less analgesia in dogs than previously believed because dogs poorly convert tramadol to its active metabolite (M1). Many veterinarians now prefer NSAIDs or gabapentin for chronic pain. Side effects: sedation, panting, GI upset, constipation. Tramadol is a controlled substance (Schedule IV). Do not combine with MAO inhibitors or serotonergic drugs. Taper dose gradually when discontinuing long-term use.