Buprenex via mouth vs feeding tube?

Hi!

I just created an account today, but I have been browsing posts here for the past few weeks and i am so impressed by the wealth of information and support in this community! I have a question about my sweet kitty Delia's pain medication. She is 15 years old has oral SCC. She had the mass removed from under her tongue about 10 days ago. We ended up having a feeding tube put in as she completely stopped eating after the surgery. She had already lost weight prior to the surgery because of the dysphagia. She is finally starting to feel better, but she has ulcers at the surgical site and also where they removed 2 teeth. We have been giving 0.02 ml of buprenex 3x per day, but we are getting different directions about the administration of the meds from our vet's office. Her Vet instructed us to give it via the E-tube, but the vet tech said it needs to be given orally, as it is best absorbed by the buccal mucosa. I have read that what the tech said is correct, but I am more inclined to follow the Dr.'s instructions. Either way we give it, she seems comfortable, but I want to be sure that we are doing this the best possible way! Can anyone here provide some insight or more information on this topic? I've attached

Thanks so much!

The vet tech is correct. Burprenex is most effective if is it slowly absorbed through the lining of the mouth. Giving by IV is another route that works well in dogs. Swallowing buprenex or directly putting it itno the stomach via a tube is ineffective. I guess the acid in the stomach affects how buprenex works. The Merck Veterinary Manual says this:

Buprenorphine

Mild to moderate pain

Cat dosage 0.01–0.03 mg/kg

IV, SC, IM, buccal (cats)

Dose interval 6–12

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/m...nt_and_management/analgesic_pharmacology.html

I suggest confirming with the vet again and ask if he / she can also double check with another vet or one of the many vet medicine dosing guides the correct way to give Burprenex. Vets deal with a lot of medicines and it can be hard to remember the correct way to dose something. It's always good to double and triple check to be on the safe side

Definitely in the mouth/inner cheek, not via the feeding tube.  Wishing you and Delia the best.