Pet Owners Are Using Their Animals to Buy Opioid Medication and Misuse It as a Drug

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to veterinarians about pet owners who are falsely claiming their pets to sick so as to get a medical prescription for opioids. There is an observed epidemic of use of opioids as a drug by humans. The pet owners are thus stealing these medicines, actually meant for the animals, and using it for themselves to get high.

Opioids are used by humans as an addiction. The FDA statement by Commissioner Gottlieb says, "We recognize that opioids and other pain medications have a legitimate and important role in treating pain in animals -- just as they do for people. But just like the opioid medications used in humans, these drugs have potentially serious risks, not just for the animal patients, but also because of their potential to lead to addiction, abuse and overdose in humans who may divert them for their own use." The FDA has also created a guide which has information regarding the state regulations on the use of opioids. Children and Teens Also Affected by Opioid Misuse. 

Opioid medications can control the brain and emotion, it raises the level of dopamine thus creating feelings of immense euphoria. To give a prescription for these medicines even the veterinarians need to have a license from the Drug Enforcement [Administration]. These regulations can help in regulating the abuse and misuse of the drug originally meant for animal health and care. It is not the animals who are struggling with the addiction but veterinarians are also looking at alternatives to suggest alternative ways instead of the opioid.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 17, 2018 02:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).