SLINGERLANDS, N.Y. – Drug addicts have begun intentionally harming their pets in order to obtain animal pain killers from veterinarians.
Tramadol, a pain medication used for pets with arthritis, is the target of addicts looking for a cheap fix.
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The New York Post reports Tramadol from a vet costs considerably less than the popular opioid oxycodone, which sells for up to $10 for one pill.
Veterinarians are seeing more and more cases of animal abuse, with owners hoping they can trick vets into believing the drug needs to be used to treat the pet.
WTEN says vets are now aware of the situation and raise a red flag if a pet owner calls in for a drug refill after a short period of time.