Muscle wasting after Tramadol in dogs

The FDA has received 27 reports of muscle wasting in dogs after Tramadol. That is 0.7% 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.

27Reports

81%Marked serious

11%Recovered

19%Died or euthanised

213 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

1 5.6%

1–2 days

1 5.6%

3–7 days

1 5.6%

1–4 weeks

3 17%

Over a month

12 67%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 7.4%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 3.7%

Still unwell when reported

13 48%

Died

1 3.7%

Euthanised

4 15%

Not known

6 22%

Problems reported at the same time

Loss of appetite

13 48%

Breathing problems

12 44%

Weight loss

11 41%

Abnormal radiograph finding

8 30%

7 26%

6 22%

6 22%

6 22%

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 muscle wasting in dogs?: 27 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 213 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).

Muscle wasting with similar medicines

Muscle wasting after Melarsomine (Immiticide) 28 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Muscle wasting after Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan 23 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Muscle wasting after Desoxycorticosterone Pivalate 23 reports · 0.7% of its reports
Muscle wasting after Famotidine 20 reports · 0.8% of its reports

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