[The use of narcotics in veterinary practice and hospitals in the Federal Republic of Germany including Berlin-West]. / Verwendung von Betäubungsmitteln in tierärztlichen Praxen und Kliniken im Gebiet der Bundesrepublik Deutschland einschliesslich Berlin-West.

An inquiry on the use of narcotics was carried through among practising veterinary surgeons and in animal hospitals. Of 5907 questionnaires sent out 2725 (46.1%) were returned; 86.3% of these stated the use of narcotics. There was a negative correlation between the use of narcotics and the age of the veterinary surgeons. Levomethadone, pentobarbital and fentanyl were used most often, the other narcotics were only mentioned in 1-2% of the questionnaires or not at all. Narcotics were primarily ordered for the veterinary "house pharmacy" and for use in practice, prescriptions for the individual patient being the exception.