Canine injuries and ailments sometimes require heavy-duty pain relievers to alleviate an animal's suffering and keep it comfortable during a recovery period. Depending upon the severity of a dog's condition, veterinarians often rely on narcotic medications to assist in treating an ill or injured patient. Morphine is a popularly prescribed narcotic medication for dogs ibecause of its effective action in pain relief and its minimal side effects.
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Sedation
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Sedation is sometimes a desired side effect of morphine for injured dogs Sedation is a common side effect in dogs being treated with morphine. The canine's pulse and heart rate are significantly lowered, and the animal remains in a relaxed and somewhat sleepy state. He may remain semiconscious or even appear to be sleeping for prolonged periods, depending upon the dose. If the dog has suffered an injury that requires him to remain immobile during the healing process, larger doses of morphine may be prescribed to achieve sedation.
Vomiting
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Nausea and vomiting are common morphine side effects for dogs. As with most species, vomiting is a side effect of morphine for dogs. It is common for an animal to experience vomiting the first time (or first few times) it ingests or is injected with morphine. If the animal continues to regurgitate after several administrations of the prescribed opiate, a reduced dosage may be recommended.
Defecation and Constipation
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Dogs with prolonged treatment may experience constipation. The initial administration of a morphine injection may cause a dog to defecate involuntarily. This happens because morphine relieves pain by causing a somewhat numbing effect on the body, including the bowels. This is a common side effect that only occurs in the beginning of treatment and swiftly subsides. Prolonged use of morphine for dogs produces the opposite effect, causing constipation.
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