Is it normal for dogs to get upset stomach from Tramadol?

My 11 year old Rottweiler, Belle, is on Tramadol for her arthritis. She's been on it for about 4-5 months, and is now taking nearly 9 pills a day. Recently she has started having an upset stomach, and vomits. Is this a normal reaction after being on this medicine for this long?Should I contact my vet?

You should contact the vet. Some meds can wear the lining of the stomach.

Yes, contact your vet ASAP! Your dog is taking a high dose of the med and it may just need to be adjusted.

Vomiting and gastrointestinal upset has been described with this medication, but it is more common to see sleepiness and dizziness. It is possible, if she is dizzy, that it could interfere with her equilibrium which could make her nauseous. I would definitely contact your vet who will likely do some bloodwork to make sure her liver or kidneys are not affected. An additional therapy that may be very successful with arthritic dogs is Adequan injections. Adequan is a substance that is naturally found in joint tissue and when it is given by injection, it goes into a joint and thickens the fluid so the bone is not scraping on bone as much (osteoarthritis). The injections are expensive but can be life-changing. I have seen tremendous success with multiple dogs. If you have financial difficulties, your vet may be willing to give you a discounted rate if you buy your own bottle from them and just come in for the injection. The best way to administer it is twice weekly for up to 8 injections then as needed to maintain comfort. Good luck to you - hope she feels much better!