Pain patches are medicated patches that get rid of pain in both pets and humans. The most commonly used pain patch in pets is a Fentanyl pain patch. Fentanyl is a type of opiate narcotic that’s used to control pain in dogs. These patches gradually release small amounts of the drug to provide long term pain relief in pets.
Usage
It’s important to use Fentanyl patches after conducting a vet check because it’s best to identify the real cause of pain in your pet and treat the condition accordingly. Before applying the patch, the vet will trim the dog’s fur at a specific area on his body and position the patch directly over the skin. The vet will then use a bandage to hold the patch in place.
Since the dog should not chew the patch or attempt to take it out, the vet will apply the patch on the sides of the dog’s chest, between his shoulder blades or on the lower portion of the dog’s leg.
How Does the Patch Benefit Your Pet?
Since the pain patch provides continuous pain relief, it prevents you from periodically administering harsh pain killers to your dog. Pets that are suffering from cancer, pancreatitis and parvovirus enteritis are likely to recover quickly if the patch is applied. Dogs that are recovering from bodily injury or trauma also benefit from Fentanyl patches.
Vets often use Fentanyl patches on pets to prepare them for severe surgeries. Under normal circumstances the patch is applied to the dog’s body nearly 24 hours before the surgery as this gives the pet’s body sufficient time to absorb the drug that’s present in the patch.
Taking Off the Patch
The vet will let you know how long you need to keep the patch on your pet’s body. If the bandage comes off at home, you will have to visit your vet to re-bandage the patch and hold it in place.
In most cases, the vet will ask you to return to the hospital to have the patch removed. This will also give the vet an opportunity to examine the dog and decide whether the application of a new patch is necessary. If the vet advises you t o remove the patch at home, you will have to keep a pet friendly lotion handy since the patch may be sticky and difficult to peel off.
Side Effects of Fentanyl Patches
- Lack of appetite
- Nausea
- Irritation
- Lethargy
Precautions When Using Pain Patches
If you notice any unusual changes in your pet after the patch is applied, discuss these changes with your vet. You should also inform the vet if your pet exhibits any of the side effects listed above. Apart from this, if the patch needs to be replaced, make sure the dog’s body has absorbed sufficient amounts of the drug that controls the pain, so that he experiences little to no pain while the patch is being replaced.
Ailing dogs should be kept in a comfortable environment, away from stress and other pets. After removing the pain patch, you also need to conduct follow up vet checks to find out if your pet has fully recovered.