Arthritis after Tramadol in dogs

The FDA has received 45 reports of arthritis in dogs after Tramadol. That is 1.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

45Reports

84%Marked serious

11%Recovered

18%Died or euthanised

104 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 14%

1–2 days

1 3.4%

3–7 days

1 3.4%

1–4 weeks

3 10%

Over a month

20 69%

How the animals did

Recovered

1 2.2%

Recovered with lasting effects

4 8.9%

Still unwell when reported

21 47%

Died

1 2.2%

Euthanised

7 16%

Not known

11 24%

Problems reported at the same time

13 29%

12 27%

12 27%

12 27%

11 24%

10 22%

Didn't work as expected

9 20%

Kidney problems

9 20%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Tramadol cause arthritis in dogs?: 45 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 104 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Arthritis with similar medicines

Arthritis after Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan 52 reports · 1.0% of its reports
Arthritis after Desoxycorticosterone Pivalate 29 reports · 0.9% of its reports
Arthritis after Chondroitin + Glucosamine 43 reports · 1.6% of its reports
Arthritis after Glucosamine 22 reports · 1.2% of its reports

All reported side effects of Tramadol in dogs · Medicines most reported with arthritis