The dog also needs a pain relief treatment that may be due to any injuries, surgery, or cancer. In general for reducing pain, most of the people choose Oxycodone. Therefore as a pet owner you must have a doubt that can I give my dog Oxycodone, whenever he/she is suffering from extreme pain. This confusion is natural because sometimes veterinarian also prescribes medicines that also used by human. But here one thing to be remember is not all ranges of doses are safe for the dogs. To know about Oxycodone for a pet dog safe or not read this below article briefly.
Can I Give My Dog Oxycodone For Pain? Know the Reason
Taking Oxycodone by the dog is quite risky, even in lower dose. So it is important to know how to deal with painkillers when your pet is in pain. Oxycodone for a pet dog is needed when he/she needs acute and chronic pain management. But do you know what will be the post medicinal effect. Because Oxycodone is not designed for the dogs. Here one question arises if Oxycodone works fabulously for the humans then why dogs are prohibited to this. What are the factors should be considered before giving Oxycodone to the pet? Let’s discuss these in below.
What Is Oxycodone?
Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid, modified version of opium poppy. It is generally used for short pain management in severe condition, chronic pain issues and relief in acute conditions. After mixing with blood, it binds to opioid receptors in the central nervous system. After binding it blocks the pain signal and generate relaxation. One important thing to know about oxycodone pill is, it is not available without prescription. Here we are discussing about giving this powerful opioid to our pet. How far it is legal to use lets discuss in below.
What Happens When You Give a Dog Oxycodone?
Oxycodone for the dog might result severe harmful effects. Because Oxy pill is metabolized differently in dogs. Some factors like size, breed and health condition of the dog also affects severity of negative effect. Common side effects after Oxycodone include Vomiting, Constipation, and extreme drowsiness.This is happens normally in lower dose, otherwise higher dose can affect seriously.
Some life-threatening risks like low blood pressure, slow heart rate, respiratory depression, coma or even death like situation can arise.
How Vets Diagnose and Treat Pain in Dogs?
Sometimes dog owners do not have knowledge about their dog is in pain. If any changes have seems in their activities, then it’s the time to check under the guidance of a Vet. Because in some cases proper diagnosis, physical examination, and observation will be needed to manage pain in dogs. For diagnosis, they might suggest different lab testings, X-ray, or MRI test. Some signs like excessive licking, restlessness, or biting to a specific area may be their language to tell us they are in pain. Therefore, if you notice any changes in them, go for a immediate check-up.
After diagnosing the doctor may suggest for opioids(Tramadol, Buprenorphine, or Fentanyl), Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatories, Gabapentin, Steroids, or muscle relaxants. But it is not advised to take human used medication under opioids or steroids. Their metabolism is different and they also needs a different treatment process to be cured. Some other non-medicinal treatments like rehabilitation exercises, massage, or chiropractic care, might be taken for safe recovery.
Is Oxycodone Ever Prescribed for Dogs?
As you know in the above, dogs prescribed medications and human medications must be different. Oxycodone is a human used pill used for chronic pain management. It’s active component Oxycodone Hydrochloride is proven effective for pain management. So this pill can be used by the dogs in rare cases. Veterinarians rarely prescribed the pill Oxycodone, instead of they uses other available pain killers which are safe and gives an optimal effect. In some cases like cancer pain, severe injury, or post-surgical pain oxycodone can be prescribed when alternatives are not worked so well.
It has been seen that dogs do not respond very well to it. Due to it’s higher risk of side effects doctors do not prescribe it usually to the pets. It is better to go for safe, Vet-Approved alternatives for Pain Relief after consulting a Vet.
Human Opioids vs. Dog-Safe Painkillers
Knowing that all painkillers are not for your dog safe pain killers is most important thing for their treatment. Even in emergency you should not give them any type of pain killers, because it can cause erious effects on them. Human opioids are include oxycodone, hydrocodone, tramadol, and codeine which are very powerful medications. It can also cause some adverse effects in humans for their analgesic nature. When you give the dogs human opioids they will react differently to it and can cause negative reactions to it.
Dog-Safe Painkillers are clinically tested and approved by the veterinarians, which are safe for dogs with minimal side effects. Commonly used safe pain killers are Veterinary NSAIDs(Carprofen, Meloxicam, Previcox), and Opioids(Buprenorphine, Hydromorphone, Fentanyl patches). Gabapentin can be used by dogs, which is also used in human neuropathy and pain management. But the amount of dose and timing matters the most for safe treatment.
Conclusion
Never give your dog any pills especially opioids like oxycodone without consulting a veterinarian. It’s risky and more painful for your beloved pet. If any vet is not available in your area you can take online consultations from the site newlifemedix.com and can order pain-relief medicines from it. The best way is give your pet appropriate medication which is safe and gives optimal result to it.