+- IOPList.Org (https://www.ioplist.org)
+-- Forum: Off Topic (https://www.ioplist.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=25)
+--- Forum: World News (https://www.ioplist.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=27)
+--- Thread: Pet opioid prescriptions have soared (/showthread.php?tid=5072)
Pet opioid prescriptions have soared - Linville - 01-14-2019
Pet opioid prescriptions have soared. But who’s really using the meds?
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER:
A new study by Penn Medicine and Penn Vet has uncovered a 41 percent increase in opioids prescribed for pets over a 10-year period, but only a 13 percent bump in the number of pet hospital visits.
The prescription spike could have been driven by the complex care offered at a veterinary hospital like Penn’s, as well as the desire to spare beloved pets from pain, according to the study authors.
On the other hand, it might also mean all those prescriptions didn’t go to Fido and Fluffy.
“As we are seeing the opioid epidemic press on, we are identifying other avenues of possible human consumption and misuse,” said senior study author Jeanmarie Perrone, director of medical toxicology at Penn Medicine.
“Even where the increase in prescribed veterinary opioids is well intended by the veterinarian, it can mean an increased chance of leftover pills being misused later by household members.”
In what Penn called the first study of its kind, the researchers examined pharmacy records at Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital from 2007 to 2017. They reviewed the patterns for the four opioids prescribed or dispensed to small animals – tramadol, hydrocodone, codeine tablets, and fentanyl patches.
Dogs comprised 73 percent of the intended consumers, nearly 23 percent were cats, and the rest were mainly rabbits, snakes and birds.
“We found that the increased quantity of opioids prescribed by our hospital was not due to increased patient volume alone,” said study author Dana Clarke, an assistant professor at the vet school. “It’s likely our goal of ensuring our patients are pain-free post-operatively, particularly those requiring complex and invasive procedures, has driven our increased prescribing practices during this period.”
However, Clarke added, “we don’t know the potential or extent of prescription diversion from animals to humans, and what impact this could have on the human opioid crisis.”
More from the Philadelphia Inquirer
RE: Pet opioid prescriptions have soared - folken - 01-14-2019
Good find Linville,
most pets meds are some derivative of peeps. Adjusted for weight of course.
I used to give Benedryl to the cat for allergies- so the post doesn't come as a total surprise. Now Vets under the microscope----sheesh....................Folken
RE: Pet opioid prescriptions have soared - Nobleone - 02-09-2019
(01-14-2019, 02:11 AM)Linville Wrote: Pet opioid prescriptions have soared. But who’s really using the meds?
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER:
A new study by Penn Medicine and Penn Vet has uncovered a 41 percent increase in opioids prescribed for pets over a 10-year period, but only a 13 percent bump in the number of pet hospital visits.
The prescription spike could have been driven by the complex care offered at a veterinary hospital like Penn’s, as well as the desire to spare beloved pets from pain, according to the study authors.
On the other hand, it might also mean all those prescriptions didn’t go to Fido and Fluffy.
“As we are seeing the opioid epidemic press on, we are identifying other avenues of possible human consumption and misuse,” said senior study author Jeanmarie Perrone, director of medical toxicology at Penn Medicine.
“Even where the increase in prescribed veterinary opioids is well intended by the veterinarian, it can mean an increased chance of leftover pills being misused later by household members.”
In what Penn called the first study of its kind, the researchers examined pharmacy records at Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital from 2007 to 2017. They reviewed the patterns for the four opioids prescribed or dispensed to small animals – tramadol, hydrocodone, codeine tablets, and fentanyl patches.
Dogs comprised 73 percent of the intended consumers, nearly 23 percent were cats, and the rest were mainly rabbits, snakes and birds.
“We found that the increased quantity of opioids prescribed by our hospital was not due to increased patient volume alone,” said study author Dana Clarke, an assistant professor at the vet school. “It’s likely our goal of ensuring our patients are pain-free post-operatively, particularly those requiring complex and invasive procedures, has driven our increased prescribing practices during this period.”
However, Clarke added, “we don’t know the potential or extent of prescription diversion from animals to humans, and what impact this could have on the human opioid crisis.”
More from the Philadelphia Inquirer
My neighbor has a dog that's nuts maybe he's on something.. lol
RE: Pet opioid prescriptions have soared - Charon - 02-09-2019
I did rescue for a number of years in my younger days and then with a group after i was a stay at home wife and mom.
Vets knew the truth about illnesses, and because they are not sued as often as regular doctors, they were treating animals with humanity. And many of these vets donated their time and services to the non profit animal rescue groups.
People r nutz and i put nothing past them. The witch from another forum whom was peeved with me when I moved in with this houseshare, she admitted she stole all her dogs tramadol. Witch.
Many years ago, My german shepherd at age six had horrific xrays of his lungs. and seizures. The vet told me he had but weeks to live. I patted the vet cuz he knew I believed in miracles.
And, the vet did not want to force me with braces on me to walk and a large german shepherd coming in every month for phenobarb to prevent his seizures. no PKs back then. but he was ok.
with treats often and the AC on 24/7, both the doggie and i felt better. When my doggie turned thirteen yrs, and the Vet had not treated him for the lung cancer, he finally said: Listen, we go way back. But i gotta state under oath I have seen your dog within xx number of years.
So I brought the miracle doggie in the next day. Something had messed up his lungs. But, it did not lead to worsening or needing treatment. I am fairly certain I know what happened.
But, even back about 12 yrs ago, the Vets were starting to be told that people were faking pets. anything for the meds.
Disgusting. At least don't make our pets suffer.
And now you fools whom do this have made it so pets will suffer.
Karma gonna bite u all in the arse. Hard.
RE: Pet opioid prescriptions have soared - FootballKing - 02-12-2019
This is sooo sad. My vet mentioned to me how there was a problem with people stealing their pet's meds. Absolutely terrible. Dogs metabolize much faster than humans too so they need a much higher dosage than a human (based on weight of course). Makes me sad for the future. It's inevitable that our pets will be suffering from all this BS very soon too.
Simply writing this post puts tears in my eyes. My pup was on tram for the last 2 years of her life. She lived to the ripe old age of 16. I wish dogs lived longer.
She was an absolute savage and didn't seem like she needed meds, but I knew she was in pain even though she didn't show it often. She was a working dog breed so they do not show pain very apparently.
I was surprised the script could just be filled anywhere since it was also a "human" medication. Benefit was that it was dirt cheap. The doggie anti-inflammatory was 10x as much... I wish they would make a tram version for vets to subscribe that came in some kind of chewable that was a nasty liver, salmon, chicken, beef flavor just for the dogs. I'm sure this has been thought of but not profitable enough...? On the other hand, maybe I'm on to something!!
RE: Pet opioid prescriptions have soared - Froggy - 02-25-2019
Sadly, I can see how this could happen. Last year we had my whole family staying with us for Christmas. Normally it is just the two of us & our menagerie so I don’t bother to hide away the dogs meds. (My 15 year old German Shepard takes tr@m for arthritis pain.) When all of the company left I found that more than 1/2 of her meds had too. Lying to your vet to get meds is horrible enough, but to steal them from someone else’s pet? That’s a special kind of wretched.
I’ve had situations with family helping themselves to my medication in the past so I’m careful to keep it tucked away, but it never crossed my mind to worry about my dog’s!
RE: Pet opioid prescriptions have soared - Laxfinity - 02-25-2019
Oh no, Froggy! That is AWFUL! I am so sorry that happened!
We have a family member we need to hide meds from as well. When she stayed and watched our kids for a few days, I had to lock up everything in the safe, as the last time we had stuff missing as well. Even though it was leftover surgery meds... still. She even asks my husband for his refills on his prescription 800 mg motrin with the special stomach coating on it.
RE: Pet opioid prescriptions have soared - Sudsy - 02-26-2019
Hi Froggy,
I have never heard that one before. Special kind of wretched is right.
Sudsy
RE: Pet opioid prescriptions have soared - Froggy - 02-27-2019
I was very lucky that I have a REALLY understanding vet! She let me refill the meds early without having to file a police report. When I had my own meds taken my doctor couldn’t/wouldn’t, so either I had to report my family member to the police or go without. Since it happened out of the state I live in & I didn’t want to get family in trouble, I just made due for that month. Still, it’s a huge violation of trust whether it’s mine or my poor dog’s meds!
RE: Pet opioid prescriptions have soared - The4thDimension - 03-26-2019
I'd like to think that I'm pretty open to what goes on in society, but even I didn't see this one coming.