For dogs undergoing surgery, many/most veterinarians use a fentanyl patch before and after surgery to reduce pain so that the morphine is in the system before the pain starts. The patch can reduce the amount of injectable drugs and anesthesia required, and instead of staying in the hospital for recovery and injections, dogs may be able to go home sooner with a fentanyl patch. This way, they can be more comfortable recovering at home.
There are a couple of good research articles about this at www.dogaware.com.
Many Vets use a patch that is too strong for the dog and thus creates side effects such as whining and disorientation.
Ask the vet when it is put on, if your dog continues whining, if you can remove it using rubber gloves (and dispose of properly, as it is highly toxic). Just know that the meds stay in the system for up to 24 hours and the dog might continue whining even when the patch is removed. Watch out for any breathing problems, shaking, excessive crying, sometimes a little bit of a rash even from the adhesive...or
anything that concerns you, call your vet. Generally they take time to absorb into the system...and time once the patch runs out or is removed to wear out. Can be up to 24hrs.
Might be a good idea to ask if you can have some alternate pain pills (Tramadol) on hand if the pain patch needs to be removed.
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