college connection
PUBLIC HEALTH
The Opioid Crisis and Veterinary Medicine
MANAGEMENT OF OPIOIDS INVOLVES THE WHOLE CLINIC
An excerpt from the Canadian Veterinary
Medical Association’s document “Opioids:
Risk Evaluation/Mitigation Strategies in
Veterinary Medicine”
Opioid-class medications have been used
in veterinary medicine for many years and
remain an important part of the arsenal
to fight pain. Opioids function as effective
analgesics either alone or in combination
with other classes of analgesics. They are
important for management of significant
pain occurring in chronic conditions such as
cancer or for perioperative and postoperative
patients, producing patient comfort.
This document provides a reference for the
veterinary health care team. Recognizing
a balance between safe and effective
prescription of opioid class medicine for
the benefit of the veterinary patient and the
societal crisis in opioids in humans is critical
to the profession’s continuing privilege of
prescription.
STAFF ORIENTATION/TRAINING
This is a whole clinic issue, so the veterinarian
must ensure proper training of the veterinary
health care team, meticulous records, and a
well-secured inventory to ensure a tamper-
proof chain of custody from purchase,
through prescription and into case follow-up.
Signs of illegal medication redirection are not
always obvious. There are a few so-called
“red flags” that may assist a clinic to be alert
to possible diversion efforts.
Helpful tips
for managing opioids
in your clinic
“Veterinarians have a vital role in
public health.”
Below are a few pointers about red flags to
review periodically at staff meetings:
• If a client seeking veterinary care exhibits
unusual behaviours this may indicate drug-
seeking behaviour, though frequently the
client is a source for redistribution to others
rather than for own-use. Their role may be
inadvertent (by not keeping dispensed
medication locked away from family/
guests in the home environment), or less
commonly it may be a cleverly designed
ruse