Tramadol is a synthetic opioid painkiller used in veterinary medicine for moderate to severe pain in dogs. It is prescribed for post-surgical pain, cancer pain, chronic pain conditions, and as part of multimodal pain management. Its use in veterinary medicine has become more nuanced as newer evidence questions its efficacy in dogs compared to humans.

Price Comparison

  • From your vet: £20–£50 per month
  • Online pharmacies (with prescription): £8–£20 per month
  • Prescription fee: £10–£25

Tramadol is relatively inexpensive, and online pharmacy savings of 40–60% are typical.

What Does Tramadol Treat?

  • Post-operative pain (short-term)
  • Cancer pain
  • Chronic musculoskeletal pain
  • Osteoarthritis pain (though newer options like Librela and NSAIDs may be more effective)

Important note: Recent research suggests that dogs metabolise tramadol differently from humans, producing less of the active pain-relieving metabolite (M1). This means tramadol may be less effective in dogs than previously thought. Many veterinary pain specialists now prefer NSAIDs, gabapentin, or Librela for chronic pain.

Species and Forms

  • Dogs: Tablets or capsules (50mg). Typically dosed at 2–5mg/kg every 8–12 hours
  • Cats: Used less commonly. Cats metabolise tramadol better than dogs, and it may be more effective in this species. Dosed at 1–2mg/kg every 12 hours

Side Effects

  • Sedation and drowsiness
  • Constipation
  • Nausea and reduced appetite
  • Panting (dogs)
  • Potential for serotonin syndrome if combined with other serotonergic drugs
  • As a controlled drug (Schedule 3), it is subject to stricter prescription regulations

Prescription Requirements

Tramadol is a Schedule 3 Controlled Drug under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. Prescriptions are valid for 28 days only (not 6 months like non-controlled POM-V drugs). Your vet must write a specific controlled drug prescription. Some online pharmacies dispense controlled drugs, but not all.

How to Save

  • Online pharmacies that handle CDs: Those that dispense controlled drugs offer 40–60% savings
  • Discuss alternatives: If tramadol is used for chronic pain, ask your vet about more effective options like NSAIDs, gabapentin, or Librela
  • Compare prices: Use VetCost to compare medication prices across pharmacies

Last updated: March 2026. Sources: VMD, BSAVA formulary, CMA provisional decision (October 2025), VetCost pharmacy data.