Safe and Effective Pain Relief Tailored for Llamas and Alpacas
MAF Successful Outcome:
Llamas and alpacas have grown in popularity in the United States, and so has the demand for veterinary services for these animals. Unfortunately, no drugs are currently approved for treating pain in llamas. Instead, dosage regimens are extrapolated from those for other large animals. However, because each species metabolizes drugs very differently, extrapolating dosing information can have serious adverse side effects. Scientists are now looking at how tramadol, a pain reliever used in humans and other species, is metabolized in llamas. They are comparing intravenous and intramuscular administration of the drug. Once the pharmacokinetic information (what happens to the drug as it goes through the body) is known and the appropriate dosage is determined, the use of tramadol could provide an effective and safe analgesic for llamas suffering from moderate to severe pain caused by surgery or osteoarthritis.
Posted by MAFon August 19, 2009.
Categories: Animal health, Llama health
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