I feel horrible that I didn't know Kasey was in pain for so long. I posted a few weeks ago that he had started limping on the front left leg so we took him to the vet. She manipulated both legs in all different ways and there was no response from him at all. But after a bunch of xrays they found moderate arthritis in the left elbow. Our vet sent us home with Tramadol and within 12 hours he was a different dog.

But I feel bad for the many months prior to this diagnosis. I had posted in the last year about how he was roaming at night, seemed anxious and insecure even during the day (which was new for him), and was doing a lot of panting even when it was cool. I had taken him to the vet - both regular and his derma vet - and neither could determine that anything was wrong. They thought he was having some general anxiety which can be more common as dogs age - he's 8. I had even given him aspirin at night in case something was hurting to see if that changed anything and it did not.

As soon as we started the tramadol the anxiety and panting disappeared. He's running around acting like he's 4 again most days. So obviously it was the pain that was causing all his weird behavior. If I would have known then what I know now, I would have asked our vet for a couple days of pain med to trial it and see if his behavior changed. I learned that pain in dogs can show itself in many different ways, and it is REALLY hard to figure out what is going on. I'm glad he finally started limping so we had something to go on. The vet said he is one of those dogs that does not show pain response until it gets really bad.

I just wanted to share our story in case anyone else ever has an issue with your dog acting outside of normal for a long period, so maybe other dogs can be spared having to be in pain without anyone knowing.

Good info Lori.

My old guy is almost 11 and the cold weather has really started to slow him down.

He was one of those dogs that never showed pain.

Diagnosed with Moderate HD and the beginning of mild arthritis at 2yrs old he has been showing his age quite a bit lately.

Glad Kasey is feeling so much better!

Tramadol also has antidepressant type properties so it can not only relive the pain but also help lessen the anxiety that might have ben a part of long term chronic pain.

 Quote: Mara Jessup

Glad Kasey is feeling so much better!

Tramadol also has antidepressant type properties so it can not only relive the pain but also help lessen the anxiety that might have ben a part of long term chronic pain.

Really? That's good to know!!

I remember when you posted about your Kasey acting peculiar, and I remember thinking pain could be contributing, but I didn't know about Tramadol.

Our Lad was bumped by a car and had a very sore swollen foreleg. Just a week or two ago. The drug had a remarkable
effect. I'd never used it before, it's new since I quit in '96.

I'm so glad that Kasey is better. Perhaps it will even help with his allergy symptoms, by generally quieting discomfort. Lots of biting and scratching I think isn't always "itching".

That is great info Lori, thanks for posting! It seems like no matter how many dogs I have I always learn something new about their expression of pain/discomfort/etc.

Tramadol is without question my go-to for myself and my dogs (when needed).

For moderate (maybe even severe, in some individuals) pain, it's terrific, IME, without the scary side effects of the typical opioids. (As Mara said, it has some serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake-inhibiting effects as well.)

It doesn't cause me personally any of the unpleasant side effects of the stronger opioids.

Can Tramadol be used long term for a dog with digestive problems (EPI)?

 Quote: Bob Scott

Can Tramadol be used long term for a dog with digestive problems (EPI)?

Bob, I have to go to my vet and pick up a refill for Kasey today. I'll ask about that for you.

Bob, my vet looked it up and there are no contraindications for using Tramadol when the dog has EPI. She said it should be fine.