OK - still looking for the answer to my question, which is:
Has anyone else ever heard of a neurologist prescribing codeine or morphine or other opiates for SM pain? I'm not asking what codeine is. I've checked all my various veterinary textbooks and speakers' notes from AVMA, etc., but this is the first mention I've heard of any vet using this drug for SM pain. Is this a new protocol?
Again, when I first posted I wrote "codeine" but I was really thinking "morphine" - although both are opiates. I do know many vets that prescribe hydrocodone for coughing related to heart disease, collapsing trachea, and/or COPD:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=31&A=519&S=0
But from what I've read, codeine is a pretty weak analgesic. I also googled to see about interactions between codeine, gabapentin and an NSAID - I'd want to get a good handle on understanding that if I were giving all three drugs.
Anne - regarding Tramadol - I've used this long term for several geriatric dogs - daily for many, many months for pain control - for several reasons such as severe osteoarthritis and in dogs with cancer where quality of life was my paramount concern. My understanding from my vet internist is that it is a safe drug to use long term. It may be habit-forming but that was not a concern in the cases where I used it.
Pat