Naltrexone For Pets | Uses, Benefits, And Dosage Guide

Learn how Naltrexone for pets can help with pain, autoimmune issues, and compulsive behaviors. Find the right dosage and trusted sources.

Pet owners are increasingly needing more and more complex pet care.

When facing challenging behavioral issues or chronic health conditions, exploring various treatment options is crucial.

Naltrexone, a drug initially intended for human use that is becoming a more common therapeutic agent in veterinary medicine as a tool in the treatment of specific conditions.

This article provides a comprehensive review on naltrexone for pets e.g., indication, benefit, safe dose, how to get naltrexone safely, etc.

What Is Naltrexone For Pets?

Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, which means it inhibits the effects of opioids.

The mechanism by which naltrexone for pets works is complex, at low doses, it is thought to have immunomodulatory properties, affecting the immune system of the body.

That is the reason for its use in the treatment of various diseases in animals.

Attention is drawn to the fact that “low-dose naltrexone” (LDN), is often used when treating animal conditions.

Conditions Treated With Naltrexone In Pets

Veterinarians can use naltrexone for pets for several conditions in dogs and cats.

Behavioral Issues

Naltrexone is an effective agent for the treatment of some behavioral disorders, including anxiety, compulsive behavior (such as excessive licking or tail-chasing), and self-directed injurious behavior.

Here, its mechanism is not entirely clear, but it could be by interacting with the endorphin system which is involved in feelings and behavior.

Autoimmune Diseases

As it is reported to have an immunomodulatory effect, naltrexone for pets has been explored as a treatment of certain autoimmune conditions in animals, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and certain cutaneous disease states.

The concept is that it helps to modulate the immune system and decrease inflammation.

Pain Management

Naltrexone can be a receptor blocker, but its role in pain relief is multifactorial. It isn’t a typical painkiller.

Nevertheless, pain relief drugs may be administered in combination with other analgesics by some veterinarians, especially in chronic pain cases.

They may attenuate inflammation and, therefore, modulate the pain sensation in time. This is an area of ongoing research.

Cancer Support

There are a few reports suggesting that naltrexone for pets may also have therapeutic value in the treatment of certain cancers in animals by regulating tumor growth and immune reaction.

However, this is still to be investigated, and naltrexone should not be used for cancer treatment alone.

It shall be used as a part of a wider veterinary cancer treatment plan, which is planned by the veterinary oncologist.

Proper Naltrexone Dosage For Pets

Appropriate naltrexone dose selection for animals is also of great significance and should be managed by a qualified veterinarian.

Recommendations vary considerably according to animal species model, breeding, size, the criteria for treatment of the condition, and the response of individual animal to treatment.

Never attempt to administer naltrexone without veterinary guidance. Very often, the dose is deliberately initiated at a very low level and gradually stepped up according to the symptoms.

Your veterinarian will provide you with specific guidelines on how to properly care for your animal.

How To Get Naltrexone For Your Pet

Naltrexone for pets is a prescription medication.

You have to get it from a licensed veterinarian. Your pet’s condition will be diagnosed by your vet, and they will decide whether naltrexone is a valid treatment option for your pet and will prescribe the correct dose.

Following prescription acquisition, a drug should be obtained from a pharmacy. Often, veterinarians will recommend a compounding pharmacy.

Compounding pharmacies are designed for the manufacture of individual medications, for which animals are particularly suited.

They can dispense naltrexone in various forms (ie, capsule, solution, transdermal gels) and with the correct dose advised by your vet.

This is noteworthy since commercially available naltrexone preparations may not be licit for use in animals.

Welltopia Pharmacy | The Safe Choice For your Pet

Finding a reliable and reputable compounding pharmacy is essential.

Welltopia Pharmacy is committed to providing quality compounded medications for animals.

We’ve been working very closely with vets to successfully have each and every prescription filled correctly and with no risk.

We understand the special needs of an animal and we make every effort to provide individual medication accordingly.

As it relates to your pet’s health, you should feel secure. Welltopia Pharmacy is dedicated to providing just that. 

Important Considerations

• Monitoring: Follow-up examinations with the veterinarian are recommended when your pet is being treated with naltrexone.

This is under the control of the vet, for the monitoring of the efficacy of the medication and to change the dose if required.

• Side Effects: Though usually well-tolerated, naltrexone for pets may induce adverse reactions in certain animals, including anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, or restlessness.

The detection of these signs should be reported to the veterinarian to be treated as soon as possible.

• Drug Interactions: It is important to disclose all other drugs that are used in your pet’s life to your veterinarian, including medications and supplements, as naltrexone can interact with some medications.
• Off-Label Use: It is also a fact that naltrexone is used in animals in most cases “off-label,” compared to FDA-approved treatment of animal diseases.

However, veterinarians routinely and frequently fill prescriptions that have not been FDA-approved when veterinarians believe it is necessary to enhance animal welfare.

Conclusion

Naltrexone for pets could be an effective adjunct for the treatment of behavioral disorders, autoimmune diseases, and possibly some other diseases in animals.

No doubt, it is, however, of great importance to note that it is a prescription medicine and it can be used only on the patient’s supervisory care by an authorized veterinarian.

Talk to your vet about whether naltrexone is right for your pet and if it is being safely and effectively used.

In addition, when dispensing your pet’s prescription medication, please trust in the expertise and the attention given to the quality of a veteran compounding pharmacy like Welltopia Pharmacy.