I found this prescribing information about pain patches:
Your doctor has elected to give your pet the benefit of a Pain Relief Patch
What Is A “Pain Patch?”
The pain patch provides sustained relief to animals who have suffered traumatic injury or chronic pain. It can also prevent pain and ensure a comfortable recuperation for pets undergoing surgery.
Your veterinarian applies a small fentanyl pain relief patch, similar to one that is used in humans, directly to your pet’s skin. Fentanyl, a potent pain relief drug, is slowly released from the patch and absorbed through the skin.
What Does It Do?
This patch is especially useful for minimizing pain associated with surgery, and is usually applied 6 to 24 hours prior to the start of certain surgical procedures. This allows the pain relief medication to reach effective levels in your pet’s blood before the surgery actually takes place, providing “preemptive” pain management. The pain patch is also tremendously effective for giving sustained relief to animals that have suffered a traumatic injury. The patch can also help provide significant relief to animals with acute pain caused by such medical conditions as severe parvovirus enteritis and pancreatitis.
• A single patch can provide relief for as long as 3 to 4 days.
• The patch is safe for both dogs and cats.
• Its use may allow us to discharge your pet sooner from the hospital so that it can more quickly enjoy the comforts of its home and family.
How Is The Patch Applied?
We clip a small area of hair, place the patch directly on the skin, and frequently cover it with a bandage in order to help it stay in place. Your veterinarian will decide the best location for the patch on your pet. Common sites include the top of the neck, in between the shoulder
blades, on the sides of the chest or, for dogs, on a lower leg area.
It is important that your pet is not able to chew or scratch the patch off and swallow it. It is also important that children not be able to pull the patch off. If a protective bandage has been applied and starts to come off, please return to the hospital immediately to have it replaced.
How And When Is The Patch Removed?
Your veterinarian will advise you as to how long the patch should remain in place. Normally, your veterinarian will want you to return to the hospital for removal of the patch. In some cases, your doctor may direct you to remove the patch at home, depending on your pet’s clinical condition and whether or not a recheck examination or application of a new patch will be needed. Please be sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions carefully. If you have difficulty removing the patch due to the sticky surface adhering to your pet’s skin, applying some soothing skin lotion or cream as the patch is peeled back may help. If you do remove the patch at home, the best way to dispose of it is to flush it down a toilet. In some situations, such as cancer or other conditions causing chronic pain, long term use of the patch may be called for. In such cases, you will need to bring your pet to the hospital where we will remove and discard the old patch and apply a new one for you. Be assured that enough of the pain-relieving drug from the old patch will be in your pet’s bloodstream to
keep your pet comfortable until the new patch becomes effective.
Are There Any Side Effects From Patches?
Fentanyl pain relief patches generally produce few side effects. However, if you notice any vomiting, significant lethargy, agitation, an unexpected decrease or lack of an appetite in your pet, please call the hospital immediately and ask to speak to your veterinarian. The doctor will advise you accordingly. |