Behaviour change after Tramadol in dogs

192 reports to the FDA describe behaviour change in dogs given Tramadol. That is 5.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.5% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

192Reports
55%Marked serious
31%Recovered
22%Died or euthanised
9 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
30 22%
1–2 days
20 14%
3–7 days
18 13%
1–4 weeks
21 15%
Over a month
49 36%

How the animals did

Recovered
54 28%
Recovered with lasting effects
6 3.1%
Still unwell when reported
57 30%
Died
16 8.3%
Euthanised
27 14%
Not known
32 17%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
7
1–3 years
22
4–7 years
28
8–11 years
69
12+ years
58

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Tramadol cause behaviour change in dogs?
192 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 9 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).

Behaviour change with similar medicines

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