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Bengal cat on Fentanyl

7 replies

JohnPrescottsPyjamas · 10/10/2024 13:36

My 12 year old Bengal has been through the mill recently. He had an abscess that needed draining under GA. Took a few days to get over the anaesthetic. During his check up, I mentioned he was still lethargic and sleeping a lot. Blood tests were all normal and scan revealed nothing. Turns out he also had a severely infected tooth with a pus filled cavity which had to be removed under second GA. On day of collection, his pupils were different sizes so the vet initially though there was something neurological going on but I spotted a mark on his eyeball which turned out to be a geographical ulcer caused by herpes virus flare up brought on by all the stress! Now sorted with antivirals and eye drops.

In order to control his pain following the extraction, he’s been on a fentanyl patch. He’s eating well and using the litter tray appropriately but seems spaced out and occasionally staggering when he walks - if that makes sense? The vet seems to think that it would be very unusual for fentanyl to have this effect, but when I’ve googled it, it seems like it’s actually a very powerful opiate which would fit with the behaviour and the advice was to keep him in whilst on it.

Just looking for reassurance and has anyone else had a similar experience and did their cat quickly return to normal following the patch’s removal?

Many thanks.

OP posts:
PolaroidPrincess · 12/10/2024 10:08

He's stoned! How is he now @JohnPrescottsPyjamas?

AnnaMagnani · 12/10/2024 10:15

Fentanyl patch on a cat!

No way would you use these for post op pain in a human. They take a day to build up in the first place. Then your cat's pain is getting better every day but still getting the same dose of painkiller - so it's now overdosed.

For comparison if a human had a tooth extraction, they would be told to go and buy some ibuprofen and get on with it.

Meanwhile your cat has been getting stoned on strong opioids.

maudelovesharold · 12/10/2024 10:16

Not exactly the same, but my cat took at least 2 days to recover completely from the GA he’d had to have his teeth cleaned. He would sit for ages and stare at a blank wall as thought it was the most compelling thing ever, and just wasn’t himself. It was very disturbing to see, but when I queried it, the vet reckoned he was just high as a kite and perfectly happy. He did come down from it eventually!

BobbyBiscuits · 12/10/2024 10:24

I'm astounded they'd give that to a cat! It's for humans suffering life limiting cancers and stuff. I honestly think the poor thing must be stoned out of his mind! There must be a weaker opioid he could have, like codeine? You shouldn't need fentanyl to recover from dental surgery.

JohnPrescottsPyjamas · 12/10/2024 11:02

PolaroidPrincess · 12/10/2024 10:08

He's stoned! How is he now @JohnPrescottsPyjamas?

It’s 48 hours since the patch was removed and he’s still unsteady on his back feet. I don’t know how long this stuff takes to get out of the system.

OP posts:
JohnPrescottsPyjamas · 12/10/2024 11:07

BobbyBiscuits · 12/10/2024 10:24

I'm astounded they'd give that to a cat! It's for humans suffering life limiting cancers and stuff. I honestly think the poor thing must be stoned out of his mind! There must be a weaker opioid he could have, like codeine? You shouldn't need fentanyl to recover from dental surgery.

According to Dr Google, it’s used fairly regularly for pain relief in cats, particularly following dental work, as it avoids giving tablets by mouth.

I really don’t like the effect it’s had on him. He’s still wobbly 48 hours after the patch removal so I don’t know how long it takes to get out of his system. I can see him setting off to walk or jump and it’s like his back kegs won’t do what he wants them too, poor love.

OP posts:
BobbyBiscuits · 12/10/2024 11:33

@JohnPrescottsPyjamas aww, the poor thing. I stand corrected then, I just honestly think it sounds too hardcore! Most humans wouldn't need it for dental recovery? I hope he gets better soon x

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