how to remove fentanyl transdermal patch?

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

I need to remove Jeddie's patch late tomorrow or Weds morning. The oncologist said to take him to his regular vet to do this, but a) that will cost money and b) the weather will be in the upper 90s with heat indices on the low 100s and I do not want to take him out in that.

I am sure I can do this myself as long as I know how. The oncologist said that the adhesive is supper sticky so will hurt if I try to pull it off. I was thinking that olive or flax oil might work to loosen it and would not be toxic to him. I know I have to fold the removed patch in half toward the adhesive side and wrap in paper towels and return to the vet for disposal. And I have to wear gloves.

Any tips on this would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[MJ+Donovan]

No matter what you do, it's gonna be a pain in the you-know-what.
I have heard of people using Avon skin-so-soft, or olive or corn oil. My instructions recommended alcohol, but I was hesitant about trying that. Let the oil soak into the patch and then slowly work at it. Maybe soak a cotton ball in oil and hold it over the patch area. Even with all that, I ended up pulling some fur off of my poor Donny.

Keeping you and Jeddie in my prayers during this difficult time...

MJ

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

His fur was all shaved where they put it - about a 2" square and the patch is about 1" square, so I don't think I will pull any fur - I am worried about hurting his skin. I wouldn't want to use alcohol either because it would sting like crazy if you irritated the skin at all.

 

[Hope + (((Baby)))GA]

Instructions
1
Wear gloves when handling or removing the fentanyl pain patch. The patches contain medicine that can be absorbed through human skin as well as feline skin.

2
While holding the skin adjacent to the fentanyl patch taut, grasp the leading edge of the fentanyl patch and pull the pain patch backwards in a swift, steady motion. If the patch is sticking to the skin firmly and is difficult to remove, apply corn oil or olive oil to the underside of the patch to dissolve the glue holding the patch in place.



3
Fold the used fentanyl patch in half with the sticky surfaces facing inward so that the adhesive surface is completely covered.

4
Wrap the folded fentanyl pain patch in several layers of paper towels.

5
Rinse hands thoroughly with water to remove drug residue. Using soap, hand cleanser or any other type of solvent is not recommended.

6
Contact the veterinarian who prescribed the fentanyl patch for instructions regarding disposing of the patch. Fentanyl is a controlled substance and disposal regulations vary from state to state


http://www.ehow.com/how_5642481_remove-feline-fentanyl-patch.html#ixzz1yGDuy9bb

 

[Melanie and Smokey]

Just want to say good luck, hope Jeddie is feeling better. I didn't think they were that sticky. Smokey took 2 or 3 of them off of herself in the ICU after her mastectomy before they gave up on them with her. She couldn't use her back legs to stand up, but she could use them to peel those off without any problems.

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

I got it off! Yea!

I used a little olive oil on a q-tip and worked at the edges. Amazingly, Jeddie just sat quietly while I did this. I wore gloves and wrapped it in a paper towel, put it in a plastic baggie and will return to the vet for disposal. Finally, I lightly wiped the area with a little hydrogen peroxide to get the oil off.

Thanks everyone.