Desperation for access to opioid pain medication has led some pet owners to harm their pets so that veterinarians will provide veterinary opioids to them. The practice of injuring animals to receive prescriptions compromises the safety of both the people who hurt animals and the animals that fall victim.
The Dangers of Pet Meds to People
Pet medicines are prescribed in dosages and concentrations intended for pets at a certain size and weight. Since the medications are not prescribed to humans, people who attempt to take pet medications have no indication of the volume at which taking the pain medication is safe.
Additionally, because most people who take pain medication prescribed to pets tend to be struggling with drug addiction, safe use of the drugs is not as high of a priority as eliminating withdrawal symptoms.
How to Spot Veterinary Drug Abuse
Awareness of the problem of pet abuse for veterinary drugs is fresh, so veterinarians and activists are only now beginning to learn when vets should pay extra attention to their patients’ caretakers.
Some of the warning signs of abuse include:
- Attempting to fill prescriptions too soon
- Insisting that the animal cannot be brought in for examination before receiving a prescription
- Mentioning a housemate or family member with chronic health issues who may abuse opioid pain medications (such as Nucynta)
- Continually bringing a pet in with problems or injuries that do not seem to heal
Because veterinarians often have close relationships with pet owners, they can increase awareness and offer advice to clients who may be struggling with veterinary drug abuse.
Anti-Abuse and Prevention Measures
In most cases, veterinarians will likely be unable to address drug abuse directly. However, through careful examination of clients, their pets, and the way clients handle drug prescriptions, veterinarians can help clients solve drug and pet abuse issues.
Activists are already arranging educational seminars for animal control officers, veterinarians, and veterinary technicians. Through the seminars, people who work closely with animals can learn the dangers of humans taking veterinary opioids, the methods that they use to acquire drugs, and when to contact law enforcement officials for help.
For now, veterinarians and their staff can help reduce the frequency of animal abuse for veterinary drugs by increasing awareness within their communities. Presenting the problem to colleagues, sharing stories that protect patient rights, and continuing to investigate red flags and common practices among clients who practice pet abuse for medications will help open the door to finding a permanent solution.
