The perception of pain in animals is becoming increasingly important in veterinary medicine, as drugs are being developed to lessen pain prior to, and after, surgical procedures. The drug Torbutrol has been proven effective for treating dogs in more areas than just pain relief and has been used safely by veterinarians for a number of years.
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Effects
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Torbutrol, also called Torbugesic, is the trade name for butorphanol tartrate, a drug used in small animal veterinary medicine as an anti-tussive (cough suppressant) and a pre-operative analgesic (pain killer). Veterinarians also prescribe butorphanol as an antidote for dogs in chronic pain with diseases such as advanced osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia.
Function
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Butorphanol is an opiate sedative that works in two ways. It stimulates receptor cells in the dog's body to bind with other analgesic drugs to produce a deeper sedative effect without producing respiratory problems. In an opposite productive reaction, butorphanol stimulates another kind of receptor cell to bind with certain sedatives and produce a slight respiratory depression; thus its use in cough suppression for dogs. Veterinarians also use butorphanol to reverse heavier narcotic effects of such drugs as oxymorphone while still providing some pain relief and sedation on its own.
Benefits
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Torbutrol (butorphanol) is a relatively short-acting drug that can be used safely prior to surgery, while still relieving pain symptoms post-surgery without compromising the welfare of the dog. Its efficacy in veterinary medicine has been well documented as an analgesic and sedative with no known food interactions and few to no side effects in dogs.
Considerations
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Usually given to dogs in an injectable form by veterinary professionals, butorphanol is normally prescribed in pill form for at-home use. Vets usually recommend that dog owners give this drug up to three times a day to their animals. If a dose is missed, owners are urged not to double the next dose, as this can be toxic to the pet. Dogs will usually become drowsy, and some may experience instances of vomiting and/or diarrhea that can easily be treated by a veterinarian. Butorphanol is a Schedule II controlled substance and should be stored in a light-resistant childproof container away from all children and pets.
Warning
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Veterinarians need to know the health history of their canine patients before prescribing Torbutrol because it has been shown to negatively affect certain disease processes going on in the dog's body. It is not recommended for dogs with liver disease as this drug is eliminated through the liver and it may accumulate to unsafe levels. Butorphanol is also not usually recommended for dogs with heartworm disease or lung conditions that produce mucus because it inhibits the cough that would normally get rid of the congestion inherent in both diseases. Comatose patients or those with head injuries are also usually prohibited from getting butorphanol because of its depressive effect on the brain. Veterinarians also usually do not use this particular drug in pregnant dogs, as it is not known how it might affect the unborn puppies.
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