I would request a statement similar to the one below in the buprenorphine section allowing for the use of buprenorphine for a period of longer than 7 days if being used for chornic, palliative care. Although it is not used often, I have used chronic buprenorphine for renal failure cats with severe arthritis that cannot be managed on other available pain medications. We see these cats at least monthly and continue to monitor pain and quality of life. All clients sign a pain managment contract, modeled on similar contracts in human medicine, discussing the risks and benefits of opioid therapy, the responsibility for the security of the drug, and proper disposal of any unused drug.

For any prescribing of a controlled substance beyond 14 days, the veterinarian shall develop a treatment plan for the patient, which shall include measures to be used to determine progress in treatment, further diagnostic evaluations or modalities that might be necessary, and the extent to which the pain or condition is associated with physical impairment. 

For continued prescribing of a controlled substance, the patient shall be seen and reevaluated at least every six months, and the justification for such prescribing documented in the patient record.