Giving a dog Oxycodone is fraught with risks.
Seriously!
Providing your pet with this powerful opioid is not something to take lightly.
Are you trying to treat your dog’s pain problems? Careful! This narcotic is dangerous.
Oxycodone should be a last resort.
Here’s the deal:
Analgesics reduce severe pain. And your dog will respond to this drug as well.
The problem with Oxycodone is it can easily be too strong (especially for a smaller body).
Oxycodone Is Not Safe For Dogs
It is sometimes used, but there’s a high potential for serious harm.
Only dogs with advanced cancer (or severe arthritis) should be considered for Oxycodone.
Tramadol or Rimadyl are better alternatives in most cases. Oxycodone may temporarily help the dog though it’s certainly not a long-term solution.
Too Potent for Pets
There’s a reason vets try to avoid prescribing Oxycodone for dogs (or even the less potent Vicodin).
Make no mistake about it: This pain medication is risky for small animals.
As you probably know, lots of human beings die from misusing Oxycodone. Sadly it is quite common.
The risks are way higher for your dog.
What Can Go Wrong?
Animals are awfully sensitive to Oxycodone.
Just how sensitive?
The thing is, you can’t really know. If it is provided (for whatever reason) then a conservative dosage is essential.
Stay under 1mg of oral Oxycodone for each 10 pounds of your dog’s body weight (spaced out 2 or 3 times over the course of a day).
Even then it wouldn’t be surprising to see a canine experiencing:
- Confusion
- Dilated pupils
- Significant drowsiness or lethargy
- Muscle weakness
- Vomiting
Oxycodone Pet Poisoning
Inducing a purge, within the 1st hour, may reduce Oxycodone toxicity in the dog’s body.
In fact, throwing up may be a good thing.
Otherwise, Hydrogen peroxide comes in handy for poisoning. Though with Oxycodone, a dog’s recovery may require more including an IV.
Do you have an emergency on your hands?
Do not delay. Head to the ER immediately!
Not to Scare You…
Serious signs of Oxycodone toxicity include poor respiration and an irregular heart rate.
Such symptoms can then lead to coma and death. Organ failure is another real possibility.
So, don’t chance it!
Talk with a vet about the idea of using Oxycodone to alleviate your dog’s pain problems.
Be sure to also read: Can I Give My Dog Something for Pain?
Not For Euthanizing
Perhaps you came here looking for a way to put down your dog?
Overdosing with leftover Oxycodone is not the way to go about it.
Terrible idea!
Sure, these prescription pills could kill a dog. But some amount of suffering is also likely.
And consider this:
It’s actually fairly inexpensive to euthanize the right way (the humane way).
The Bottom Line
Never give Oxycodone to your dog. At least, not without a vet’s help.
This analgesic can easily be dangerous for pets. You may regret using Oxycodone despite good intentions.
Again, get professional advice for the dog’s situation.
There are more suitable alternatives to this popular pain reliever.
I have a 10 year old German Shepherd, about 90 pounds, who has been having seizures for over a year. Recently he has lost much muscle mass in his hind quarters, and now he has stopped eating. Sadly he is scheduled for euthanasia in three days.
I have some 5mg Oxycodone I use occasionally for discomfort from stage 4 lung cancer, and I have considered giving him some. I don’t know if he is in pain, but he seems disoriented and uncomfortable. I was giving him phenobarbital but stopped a week ago. He perked up briefly but has declined in the last couple days. I will check first with the vet. Your opinion?
What can I give my 80 pound Pit bull for pain? He almost cut his toe off. I don’t have money for a vet, but the toenail needs to be removed. He gets very aggressive as soon as you try to treat it!
I only have access to Oxycontin. How many milligrams should I give him? The longer this goes untreated, the worse the pain will become. Ideas for anything safe that I can give him will be appreciated.
Don’t do it! Your dog will die! Please, talk to your vet about making payment or something or, better yet, ask about free financial help that is often available for low income folks. I got it when my dog, Buster, a beautiful Golden Retriever, slipped and pulled a back muscle and cried in pain.
They treated him and sent the bill to a local agency. Don’t ever give your dog an opiate without your vet’s knowledge. You would never forgive yourself if you killed your dog. He/she trusts you to do the right thing.
Hi Wayne. Oxycontin is Oxycodone but it has continuous release over 8 to 12 hours instead of immediate release. You must know how much mg to give your dog and it is very important not to overdose.
Vets don’t want you using this drug because it is very habit forming. It has been the death of many people but almost all of those were drug addicts and not people recovering from surgery.
But the drug works great. I am not a doctor or vet but I have used Oxy for over 26 years for chronic pain due to a botched surgery. I have no other choice.