[BadCat]

My cat is old. Really, really old. She has arthritis. This morning the vet prescribed Tramadol and gave her her first capsule. Since she had it at about 10.30 this morning she has not slept, has barely stayed in one place for more than five minutes. Her pupils are quite dilated and she stares at stuff in a weird way. Basically she's tripping. Still. Eleven hours later. Needless to say we have not given her her second dose.

I put in a call to the vet but she didn't manage to get back to me today. I'm concerned that my cat hasn't "come down" yet. Should I be worried? Is there anything I can do except wait for it to clear her system?

I hate seeing her freaking out like this.

[TopsyTurvy]

Poor thing

Is there a 24hour vet clinic near you. Might be worth giving them a call to see what they say. If there is nothing they can do to counteract it, then you most possibly will have to just wait it out.

I guess lots of love and pats are needed

[kadoodle]

Oh the poor thing

Darkened room maybe?

[Jenflea]

I think you can use rescue remedy on pets, but if you don't have any, I doubt you'd be able to get some this time of night.

[pundelina]

Don't give cats alcohol. Rescue remedy is alcohol based.

Dark room & quiet time OP.

[Madnesscraves]

Are you in NSW? There's a emergency vet hospital in Ryde?

Personally that would concern me greatly. She must have had a bad reaction to the meds. poor thing. Have you tried feeding her so its absorbed by food and out of her system sooner?

ETA: please don't feed her donuts. Autocorrect does not know better...

This post has been edited by Madnesscraves: 05/12/2012, 09:04 PM

[Paddlepop]

Perhaps the dosage was too high for her. When my dog was getting quite old she needed only about half the dose of Xanax that she was supposed to have according to her weight.
http://www.ehow.com/list_6397703_side-effe...madol-cats.html

Does she have any liver problems? This article mentions that if the liver function is impaired then it could lead to an overdose because the cat's body can't clear the drug at the correct rate.
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_tramadol.html

You probably just need to wait it out and then review the dosage with the vet and probably get a lower dose prescribed and try her with that. Otherwise, try a 24 hour vet if there are any nearby.

Poor cat. Give her some extra cuddles if she will accept them. It must be very confusing for her.

[purplekitty]

Not a vet but I just looked it up and it seems Tramadol is cleared by the liver and kidneys in cats,similar to humans.
An elderly cat may have reduced function in both of these areas causing prolonged high levels and a longer duration of action.
Tramadol is a weak opiate so has some of the side effects of opiates.

I think it's worth seeking the advice of a 24hr. vet if you can.

Rescue Remedy will do nothing.

ETA; I hope there are some vets around on EB tonight and everything settles down for your puss.

This post has been edited by purplekitty: 05/12/2012, 09:09 PM

[BadCat]

She's in a dark room. She has been eating, in fact she seems ravenous. She has finally agreed to sit on a cushion on DH's lap but she will not close her eyes.

Her liver function is OK but her kidney function is not so good. The vet knows that though and should have taken it into account.

Might see if they have an after hours number. Thanks for the suggestions guys.

And no MadnessCraves, donuts were not on the menu.

[squirt081]

Don't give cats alcohol. Rescue remedy is alcohol based.

Yes you can give Rescue Remedy, The All Natural Vets in Balmain NSW recommends it for stressed animals.

This post has been edited by squirt081: 05/12/2012, 09:17 PM