ABSTRACT
Transdermal patches are firmly placed on a clipped region. Patches should be covered with a bandage and applied 12-24 hours before surgery. Parenteral opioid administration is required immediately following patch application until effective plasma concentrations of fentanyl are established. If cat is small, half of the patch's surface may be covered to reduce dosage of drug. Buprenorphine is available in a transdermal matrix patch system which differs slightly from the fentanyl patch system. Lidocaine is available for transdermal use in humans to treat peripheral neuropathies such as post-herpetic neuralgia. The use of lidocaine patches is being evaluated in veterinary patients. Anecdotal reports of the use of lidocaine patches for treating chronic neuropathic, post-thoracotomy or ear canal ablation, and mastectomy pain in dogs are encouraging. Pluronic gels are compounded formulations containing pluronic copolymer surfactant, active drug, and absorption altering substances such as methylcellulose and soy lecithin.
