ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/tramadol
Tramadol is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg PO q48-72h in red-eared sliders, per Baker BB, Sladky KK, Johnson SM. Evaluation of the analgesic effects of oral and subcutaneous tramadol administration in red-eared slider turtles. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2011;238:220-227. doi:10.2460/javma.238.2.220 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.256 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Used in Reptiles). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Weak mu-opioid receptor agonist plus norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibition. Dual mechanism of analgesia.
Dogs metabolize to O-desmethyltramadol poorly compared to humans (reduced opioid effect). May cause sedation, dysphoria. Serotonin syndrome risk with concurrent SSRIs. Cats may respond better than dogs.
Controlled substance in the US
Controlled-drug status and schedules differ by country — check your local scheduling rules.
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 17 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 2 mg/kg | single IV dose; no IV interval is printed | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1261, Tramadol monograph spanning p.1261-1263; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 1–4 mg/kg | q12h | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1291 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1261, Tramadol monograph spanning p.1261-1263; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, |
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Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugsAll African Pygmy Hedgehog drugsAll Amazon Parrot drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Chinchilla drugsAll Degu drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Ferret drugsAll Guinea Pig drugsAll Horse (Equine) drugsAll Mouse drugsAll Pet Rat drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugsAll Red-eared Slider drugsAll Russian Tortoise drugsAll Sugar Glider drugsAll Veiled Chameleon drugs