Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Tramadol is dosed at 2 mg/kg IV single IV dose; no IV interval is printed in dogs, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1261, Tramadol monograph spanning p.1261-1263. Tramadol is used in dogs for Peri-operative analgesia, Chronic osteoarthritis pain adjunct, Mild-moderate pain, chronic pain adjunct. Routes documented in dogs: IV, PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 3 cited dose rules for Tramadol in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 2 mg/kg | single IV dose; no IV interval is printed | Peri-operative | Peri-operative analgesia | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1261, Tramadol monograph spanning p.1261-1263.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| PO | 2–5 mg/kg | q8h; PK data suggest q6h may be needed | Chronic | Chronic osteoarthritis pain adjunct | Weak | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1261, Tramadol monograph spanning p.1261-1263. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1262, Tramadol monograph.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| PO | 2–5 mg/kg | q8-12h | As needed for pain management | Mild-moderate pain, chronic pain adjunct | Weak | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A - Canine and Feline, Tramadol, p.411Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2–5 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.411 | 2-5 mg/kg p.o. q8h, 2 mg/kg i.v |
| 2 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.411 | 2-5 mg/kg p.o. q8h, 2 mg/kg i.v |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
Typical range: 2–80 kg
If provided, volume will be calculated alongside dose.
Reference only. 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.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Tramadol dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: IV 2 mg/kg single IV dose; no IV interval is printed; PO 2–5 mg/kg q8h; PK data suggest q6h may be needed; PO 2–5 mg/kg q8-12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Tramadol in dogs: IV, PO.
Cited course lengths for Tramadol in dogs include: Peri-operative; Chronic; As needed for pain management. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Tramadol is indicated in dogs for: Peri-operative analgesia, Chronic osteoarthritis pain adjunct, Mild-moderate pain, chronic pain adjunct.
These are general warnings for Tramadol across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. 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.
Why a species-specific page? Tramadol pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.