how safe is Tramadol

[catparent]

I have an elderly cat (age 23) who is being treated for hyperthyroid, high blood pressure, low potassium, a kidney infection, and reduced kidney function.
He also has arthritis.  His treating vet recommended Tramadol.
Anyone have experience using this?  I want to help him with his pain but I don't want to create new problems.
anyone have advice?

[Tortas]

My kitty is 12. He has issues with a luxated hip, an old injury form prior to arriving at my house. I have been using Tramadol. Tried 8mg which wiped him out. He is down to 3.25mg twice daily.BUT he also receives cosequin and 500mg Benson's best fish oil. He has gone from an old crippled cat to nearly the same bad boy he was as a younger cat. Not 100% sure what has helped him the most. His haircoat has gone from dull and dry to lustrous probably due to the fish oil. All of this has really seemed to help my guy.   Tortas

[Jade59]

Hi Catparent, is the Tramadol the only change there's been for your kitty?  If so, then I would guess it's the pain killer effecting his blood pressure.  What does your vet have to say about this if anything?  You might want to add a little pumpkin to his diet for the constipation and see how that works.

[catparent]

Thanks for all of your responses.  He does seem to be getting some relief on a very low dose of  Tramadol.  I'm giving him less than half the dose prescribed.  So it doesn't relieve all of his pain.  But if I give him more, he gets sedated.  With the lower dose he still has some difficulty walking, but he is able to walk and doesn't fall.  He has some constipation, so we will have to do something about that.
He is an amazing 23 year old.  His blood pressure has been going up.  He takes Amlodipine for that, and we have been increasing the dose.  His blood pressure was stable for months, so I don't know why it is going up now.
Anyone have experience with that?

[dominosarah]

I just realized this cat is 23 yrs old!!  What an awesome parent you have been~~I hope he is feeling better~~sara

[opus88]

yes they ALL have side effects on us and cats as well....the safest with the least side effects for pain are the following(for cats). please never use NSAID's.
-bupronorphine(buprenex)
-butorphanel(torbutrol)
-and lastly tramadol(ultram)

good luck to you and kitty, I hope you can find him some relief...at this late stage of his life and with so many health problems you need to give him the best quality for his time remaining...♥

[dominosarah]

Tramadol works on our(humans) receptors just like narcotics do.  For humans it is probably the worst drug to come off.  In some countries Tramadol is now listed as a controlled substance.  Seizures are a side effect.  Just wanted to get that out here.  I have no idea if it affects animals the same way, i hope not.

[nancyjac]

Tramadol is a non-narcotic, non-steroidal pain killer.  Most reports indicate that it is less likely to cause the nausea and other side effects that can result from extended use narcotic and NSAID pain killers.  Since you cat has chronic pain (arthritis), it is probably a better choice for longer term, low dosage use. No drug is completely safe or without potential side effects.  But given the particulars about your cat, tramadol seems to be a good choice with a good balance of effectiveness vs. side effects.