Intestinal perforation after Tramadol in dogs

The FDA has received 92 reports of intestinal perforation in dogs after Tramadol. That is 2.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

92Reports

100%Marked serious

32%Recovered

50%Died or euthanised

11 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

2 3.4%

1–2 days

4 6.9%

3–7 days

14 24%

1–4 weeks

24 41%

Over a month

14 24%

How the animals did

Recovered

29 32%

Still unwell when reported

14 15%

Died

22 24%

Euthanised

24 26%

Not known

3 3.3%

Problems reported at the same time

75 82%

51 55%

51 55%

50 54%

45 49%

Abnormal radiograph finding

27 29%

Abnormal ultrasound finding

27 29%

Abdominal pain

22 24%

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 intestinal perforation in dogs?: 92 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 11 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).

Intestinal perforation with similar medicines

Intestinal perforation after Butorphanol 23 reports · 0.5% of its reports
Intestinal perforation after Cefpodoxime 23 reports · 0.6% of its reports
Intestinal perforation after Propofol 27 reports · 0.9% of its reports
Intestinal perforation after Isoflurane 35 reports · 1.3% of its reports
Intestinal perforation after Cephalexin 28 reports · 1.0% of its reports
Intestinal perforation after Chondroitin + Glucosamine 23 reports · 0.9% of its reports
Intestinal perforation after Ketamine 26 reports · 1.4% of its reports
Intestinal perforation after Midazolam 20 reports · 1.7% of its reports
Intestinal perforation after Hydromorphone 24 reports · 2.3% of its reports
Intestinal perforation after Ampicillin 23 reports · 2.4% of its reports

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