title: Pharmacokinetics and efficacy of intravenous and extradural tramadol in dogs.
abstract: Tramadol is a synthetic opioid agonist used extensively in human and, to a lesser extent, veterinary medicine throughout the world. The clinical efficacy and pharmacokinetic profile of intravenous (i.v.) and extradural (e.d.) tramadol (2 mg/kg) and its o-desmethyl metabolite were studied in dogs undergoing tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO). Intra-operative cardiorespiratory variables were monitored and post-operative pain was assessed using the short form of the Glasgow Composite Pain Scale. A rapid (<5 min) and effective production of o-desmethyl tramadol was recorded. The pharmacokinetic profile was similar for tramadol and its metabolite irrespective of the route of administration. E.d. tramadol provided sufficient intra- and post-operative analgesia without significant clinical side-effects, but the post-operative analgesia was comparable to that following i.v. administration and the e.d. route could therefore not be considered a practical alternative to the i.v. route.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Padua, Agripolis, I 35020 Legnaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vettorato
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zonca
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Isola
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ravasio
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beccaglia
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Montesissa
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cagnardi
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D019540:Area Under Curve; D004285:Dogs / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D007268:Injections, Epidural / Q000662:veterinary*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D014147:Tramadol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D014147:Tramadol