Vet Warns Pet Parents Who Use Their Pet's Medication On Themselves

Opioids are sometimes prescribed to pups by veterinarians who have reason to believe that they need it. However, there is a dark side to this, as some pup parents may be using the opioids prescribed for their pets.

Drugs such as fentanyl and hydromorphone are often dispensed to pets, and vets do not face restrictions as to what they can prescribe. This is an issue that the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association wants to fix.

Due to no cross-checking or regulation of veterinarians being done, pet parents could potentially go from one vet to the next and describe the same condition to receive the same medication – a practice otherwise known as “doctor shopping”.

There is a genuine danger of the drugs ending up sold to other users or on the streets, which is something that the association is concerned about. However, Medavie Blue Cross and the Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons do not regulate vets and merely hold the topic as one of interest. Thus far, no efforts have been made at higher levels to deal with this problem.

This does not mean, of course, that the drugs will no longer be distributed – many pups do require them for pain management. But there should be a call to action to remedy the issue by regulating veterinarians and the medication they prescribe.

Some doctors and vets feel that the issue also needs addressing due to the risk of pups receiving less than standard pain medication if their parents choose to sell them or use them for themselves. As such, the act of preventing vets from giving out these kinds of medicines could pose problems.

A balance needs to be struck, and those with expertise feel the need to work together to solve the issue while ensuring that the animals involved still receive the care they deserve. What are your opinions? Like and share to start a conversation!