Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Interesting development we just learned about. According to the American Animal Hospital Association:
Effective Aug. 18, tramadol will be considered a schedule IV controlled substance according to a new rule published by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on July 2.
The decision means that veterinary professionals who handle tramadol or tramadol-containing substances will be subject to the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule IV controlled substances
We already know of one rehab vet who won't be carrying it any more due to the extremely stringent requirements that require anyone dispensing tramadol to
- Must be registered with the DEA or have an approved application as of Aug. 18.
- Must take an inventory of all stocks of tramadol on hand as of Aug. 18, if the DEA registrant possesses any quantity of the substance.
- Must maintain records in compliance with applicable rules.
Not quite sure exactly how this will play out when it comes to managing post-op amputation care for our animals but I'm going to do some research and talk to our favorite vets and find out more. Stay tuned.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm not sure if the vet I use has been putting this into practice already, but for the last 3-4 months I've had to "sign" for the Tramadol that Seven takes on a regular basis. Just like with any controlled Rx for humans, I have to fill in my Driver's License info, address, and sign for it. I hope this means that they're going to continue to carry it. To be honest, though, Seven is a big dog and takes Tramadol daily for his arthritis since his stomach and liver can't handle Rimadyl. I've been wondering when the DEA is going to show up at my door to see if I'm abusing or selling Tramadol 
Carol
I believe pheno barb is also a schedule IV drug, we have been using it for years for Tani's epilepsy. The vet office keeps the drugs in a safe that only the vets have access to, and there is some extra paperwork when I pick it up but otherwise there is no problem. I would think that most Vet's carry several schedule IV drugs and so would be able to continue to dispense tramadol.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Oh that's good to know there are vets who are able to handle this classification of drugs. The one rehab vet who told us about this isn't carrying it because I assume she doesn't want to deal with this kind of paperwork it now requires.
I didn't know that about pheno.
Wyatt Ray Dawg . . . The Tripawds Leg-A-Cy Continues!
Read all about my adventures at my Tripawds Blog
I talked with the folks at my primary vet office today about how they will handle Tramadol. Their plan is to keep only enough tram on site to deal with surgeries and for the rest they will 'script it out', or give people a prescription to fill at a pharmacy. They meet all the requirements, but the volume of paperwork makes it impracticable for them, they have more than 55 animals who take tram regularly. My local vet is a pretty small practice, only 3 vets, and they don't usually do big surgeries like amputations, they've referred me to surgeons for Maggie's amp and Obie's knee surgery. I'm taking Tani to the Sage facility Saturday which is a very large practice and includes a 24 hour ER. I'll try and remember to ask them how they will dispense tram.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
One of the animal hospitals I worked at several years ago treated Tramadol as a controlled substance because they knew that this kind of ruling was coming. They kept it locked up with the other controls and counted it by the same rules (triple count - count what goes to the patient twice, count what's left in the bottle once) as the other controls.
Both hospitals I've worked at (one rather large in size with more than 10 doctors, one pretty small with 5) carried several controlled substances including pain meds and anti seizure meds. Both had protocols for how these medications were handled - double or triple counting, initialing by technician who counted and doctor who prescribed, specific inventory counts and numbers of/on bottles (ndc# or manufacturer #). I can't imagine this will change much for most animal hospitals who perform surgeries outside of just basic spay/neuter.
Right rear leg amp due to injury from unknown cause (but don't tell her she's missing her spare...yes HER!)
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Thanks for sharing your experience! I hope it doesn't change anything. I have questions in to the clinic who says they're going to stop carrying it, and am waiting to hear back. I'll keep you posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I spoke with one of the Doctors at Sage Vet Center today about Tramadol. Sage is a local Specialty and 24 hour Emergency vet with 4 Bay Area locations, so is a large practice. The one location I go to has 3 surgery suites. The Doctor said that they will continue to dispense Tramadol and put up with the extra paperwork and requirements.
Maybe it depends on the size and type of practice whether it is worth trying to meet the extra requirements.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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