My terrier has just had his second ever dose of tramadol. I've read about the possible side effects but just thought I'd check here too. This morning after his tablet he just seemed slightly dopey, followed me around for a while but then snuggled up and slept on the sofa. He had another one about an hour and a half ago and although he seems rather sleepy and is on the sofa next to me, he keeps crying - not loud whines, more little whimpers. Do you think it's due to a feeling of confusion maybe or could he be feeling really odd and worried?. I don't think he's in pain but advice would be appreciated. I can give the vet a call in the morning if I'm not happy but if it sounds ok to you I'll feel better.

I wouldn't worry to much just now, my dog was on Tramadol for about a year and for the first 2 weeks he was a bit dopey/subdued, he was back to his usual self after that though. He did do a wee soft whine on and off, but to be honest, I don't think he was aware he was doing it.

My old dog was on Tramadol for almost 2 years and he didn't seem to have any ill effects at all.  Its probably nothign to worry about unless unusual behaviour persists, then go back to your vet.

My boy has been on them for over 6 months and yes they can make them a bit dozy but that is sometime all to the good and they are wonderful pain control and can be taken alongside NSAID which makes them very useful. No unwanted effects at all.

Tramadol is an opiate based drug, which will account for his drowsyness. Could also make him sick too, this is also a typical side effect.

I started my old girl on them a couple of months ago.  For the first few days, she was definitely a bit zonked for the first hour or two after the tablet, but that has worn off and she's now back to her usual self.  It's a wonderful drug, and has taken her pain away completely, in combination with another.

I was on Tramodol myself for about 1.5 yrs. it is excellant as a painkiller, however does have side effects that your dog cant tell you about. i have had a dog on it and it worked well as a temp measure. i am no longer on it and would not keep a dog o it long term. not everyone has the same side effects.

I think it is like any medication, it effects dogs in different ways.  One of my dogs was given tramadol - he had his doseage in the evening and all night he screamed and whined like he was having nightmares.  When I went to him he literally would get in my arms if he could (as a large Rottie he couldn't!)  I thought it was just because of the operation he had but this continued for 3 nights, I spoke to my vet who said there can be side effects like that so take him off the tramadol....he slept like a baby from then on so I believe he definitely reacted to it.

On another note we have an older dog on tramadol daily (quite a high dose) and no side effects whatsoever!  Definitely depends on the dog.

I was on Tramodol myself for about 1.5 yrs. it is excellant as a painkiller, however does have side effects

All medication has side effects - you hint that they are something that will cause the dog to suffer,perhaps you will be a bit more specific and tell us what they are - mind you there is nothing to say because you found a problem with it your dog will.

I have taken them for a long while and found them no problem but another well used medication I can't take at all even though many people over 40 are in fact taking it.

All medication has side effects - you hint that they are something that will cause the dog to suffer,perhaps you will be a bit more specific and tell us what they are - mind you there is nothing to say because you found a problem with it your dog will.

I have taken them for a long while and found them no problem but another well used medication I can't take at all even though many people over 40 are in fact taking it.

That is why i said not everyone has the same side effects.

Of course most meds hav side effects. I am purely giving my opinion.

to Staff.  One of the side effects is weird dreams/nightmares.

I personally had throat problems, difficulty in swallowing, the need to constantly swallow, resulting in thinking your throat was closing, i have been off tabs now for two months and have noticed a diff already.

people giving opinions on hear should not be made to feel that they are scaremongering, else they may just not coment. i have responde to a post with my experience and posted same.

mind you there is nothing to say because you found a problem with it your dog will.

should have added, that sometime you have to weigh up the pro's & cons. my dog was in desparate need of painkillers. she was only going to be on the Tramodol for a short time. as prev posted. i would not have had her on this drug long term. i was fine when i first went on it, it was long term with me that caused the problems.

Staff, you have heard the term, 'Tramodol nights'?!

> people giving opinions on hear should not be made to feel that they are scaremongering

Nova was simply suggesting that you should explain what those side effects were, and also commenting (as you said yourself) that not everyone will experience the same ones. Not much point is saying you experienced side effects and not saying what they were ;-)

Thank you for your comments and thoughts.
He had a good night and a decent walk this morning. I gave him another dose about an hour ago and apart from being a bit drowsy he appears ok. I have since wondered if his behaviour last night was due to his routine being disrupted. We've got into a habit in the evenings of a good old game of tug'o'war followed by treats in a kong and then a lovely relaxing comb (does it sound like he rules the house ?!). Anyway, after his tea and tablet of course he became a bit dopey and although he had a comb he wasn't really keen (or feeling bright enough) to play. I can't think of anything else to explain the difference between how he reacted to the two tablets. No whimpering this morning so he doesn't seem unhappy. He's only on them for a seven day trial - the vet wants to see him again next week.

Of course most meds hav side effects. I am purely giving my opinion.- people giving opinions on hear should not be made to feel that they are scaremongering,

No need to take it as a personal affront tadog, I was just asking what effects, not accusing you of scaremongering. It is after all quite important that if there are known side effects you know what to look out for or you could mistake a side effect of the illness as one that could be related to the medication.

In the case of my old girl, she had dislocated her hip, which was already unstable owing to her arthritis.  I took her to the vet that morning fully expecting her to be put to sleep, as I don't believe in keeping animals going if they are suffering.  It was a terrible day.  She has instead been pain free and active for the last few weeks.  At 14 and a half, she's not going to go on for ever, and I guess that my vet has weighed that up against the pain she was in and felt that the pros outweighed the cons.  It might not be such a good option for a younger dog, and I think even so that we are ready now to reduce the dose and see how she goes. :-)

It is after all quite important that if there are known side effects you know what to look out for or you could mistake a side effect of the illness as one that could be related to the medication.

as with all drugs, we should all check out the side effect for ourselfs.  in my box of tramadol i had a leaflet, everyone gets this and should check it out then they will know for themselfs what to watch out for. If, with dogs you dont get this leaflet, the info is available on line.

Which was why I asked you tadog, different people, different dog, different side effect - it was a request for information, details are of help, generalisation or hints of problems are not.

I did check online as I said - I was only asking if what my dog was experiencing appeared to be a side effect that others had come across too.
I gave him his tablet later last night, after his playtime and treats - he's currently sleeping really peacefully. Mind you, it is only 6am !.

Glad your boy seems to have settled down well, mine go to sleep about 6 as well they have been fed and walked there is not much else to do buy have a nap before the bed time nip outside and biscuit.