metacam?

i am furniture

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Hi, I have been perscribed to give my cat Lightning Metacam. I did some research on it and it seams like it is pretty nasty stuff.

Anyone have any experience (good or bad) with this stuff? The dosage that I was perscriped was 10 drops once a day for 3 days, then 1 drop every 3 days.

Thanks,
 

booktigger

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I have used Metacam on a few cats, and think it is good stuff, although the dosage you have been given is stronger than any I have been given - the most has been 3 drops a day, and then for 3 days only, but it would depend on the reason for it I suppose.
 

devlyn

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I've given Metacam a couple of times. The main benefit, my vet said, was that it was a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. I know that steroids can slow healing from an injury, so I'm assuming that's why it's prescribed.
I had a good experience with it. It helped reduce the swelling and acted as a painkiller as well. My cats had no weird side effects. I don't know how much was given as it was all in pre-measured syringes.

Devlyn
 

taterbug

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Metacam is like the human med Advil. It relieves pain and swelling. It is really a wonder drug for cats,I think. One of mine is taking it now for a bladder infection and another one took it when she had an abcessed tail. The dosage depends on the weight of the cat and amount of pain they are in. The benefits far outweigh the side effects!
 

pookie-poo

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Metacam is only approved for use in dogs. Metacam use in felines is directly related to renal failure.
BE VERY CAREFUL IF YOU DECIDE TO USE IT AFTER YOU READ THIS SUMMARY!

Here is the page regarding Metacam use in felines from http://www.felinecrf.org/causes_of_crf.htm#metacam
Please refer to this page to follow the links provided in the quote below, as they did not come through:

Metacam (Meloxicam)

Metacam (meloxicam) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) available in both injectible and liquid (oral) form. It is approved for use in dogs in both forms, but since cats tend to metabolise NSAIDs very poorly, meloxicam is only approved for use in cats in both Europe and the USA in its injectible form. This is because it is intended to be a one-time treatment as a painkilling injection following surgery. However, meloxicam appears to be being used more and more frequently off-label for cats in its liquid (oral) form on an ongoing basis, such as for arthritis.


Whilst is it not uncommon for medications to be used off-label in cats, meloxicam is nephrotoxic, i.e. toxic to the kidneys. In fact, it can cause permanent damage to the kidneys (papillary necrosis), with the result that a number of cats seem to have developed acute or chronic renal failure after taking meloxicam.


Although meloxicam is very effective at controlling pain, I would therefore not recommend its use in a cat who already has CRF, and I would be very cautious about using it in cats generally. We did use it for Harpsie's arthritis without any problems, but we gave a tiny dose, less frequently than recommended, and we checked his kidney values a month later. I would recommend only using Metacam in exceptional circumstances.


Metacam may interact with ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Fortekor or Lotensin) or enalapril (Enacard) so do not give both medications to your cat without checking with your vet first.


Metacam Reference Page is a summary by the manufacturer of the approval for the use of Metacam in cats, which states that it is approved for one-off injectible use only.

The Metacam Professional Insert, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, states (page 2): "renal failure has been reported as an outcome of repeated oral dosing of cats".

Freedom of Information Summary (2004) from the US Food and Drug Administration mentions on page 23 that, following the use of Metacam for post-operative pain, 8.3% of the cats in the study had elevated BUN levels, and 12.5% had anaemia. In comparison, there were no cases of elevated BUN levels in cats in the study given another post-operative painkiller, although 6.1% of them did have anaemia (one possible cause of anaemia is inflammation, which may partly explain this finding). The paper concludes: "Meloxicam, when initially dosed as a subcutaneous injection followed by oral dosing for nine days at > 0.3 mg/kg was associated with severe adverse effects, including death."

The US Food and Drug Administration reprimanded the manufacturers of Metacam in 2003 for misleading claims for the product and omission of important safety claims.

Pet Place has some information on Metacam, and advises against using it in cats until further tests have been completed.

Mar Vista Vet also has some information about Metacam and recommends avoiding its use in cats with kidney, liver or heart disease, as well as in cats who are dehydrated or who have stomach ulcers.

Provet has some warnings about the use of Metacam.

Metacam Risks in Cats is an article by Persian and Himalayan Cat Rescue.

Arthritis in Cats and Dogs Pet Forum contains some postings from members who experienced problems when using Metacam on their cats (although some, like us, had good results).

Metacam UK this is the manufacturer's British website about the use of Metacam in dogs.

Metacam USA this is the manufacturer's American website about the use of Metacam in dogs.
 

cloud_shade

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What are you giving it for? How old is your cat? I won't give it to mine. First, they are seniors, and Metacam can push cats into kidney failure if they were borderline. Second, giving it orally isn't a manufacturer approved use, which means they haven't tested that it can safely be used that way--it's only approved for a single injection. When Odo had his dental last week, my vet tried to convince me to give him Metacam, but he's 15 years old. I refused and requested Buprenex instead. Buprenex is a narcotic type pain medication, and it is less toxic to the kidneys than Metacam. Tramadol is another medication that can be used if swelling is involved as well as for pain. It is much safer for cats, but it hasn't been used as long so many vets aren't aware of it or don't think about it.

The only time I would consider using Metacam is if I had a terminally ill cat in pain, and Metacam might bring relief to improve his/her quality of life.

This page has information about lots of different pain medicines:

http://www.2ndchance.info/pain.htm
 

sweetseamus

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Seamus had a leg injury last year and the vet gave him the injectable form as well as prescribing the oral form for me to give at home. I will say that the shot really perked Seamus up and seemed to relieve his discomfort. I can't remember what the exact dosage was but I was supposed to give him the liquid once a day for 5 days. I only gave him one dose before I started reading about some of the adverse side effects and did not give him any more after that. It did seem to make him more comfortable, but I wasn't convinced that the benefits outweighed the risks. Within a week he was back to his normal self, but in the future I will probably ask for an alternate type of pain medication if he needs it.
 

taterbug

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Thanks for posting this info. The way my vets explained the effects of metacam on cats was that it affected the kidneys and liver the same way that Advil and tylenol does with humans. They both also told me it was safer on the liver than narcotic drugs were. Guess that just goes to show you that you really can't rely on everything you're vet says. But I can say,with my cats....it gave them instant relief with very painful conditions. But if anything ever happens in the future,I will be sure to question the vet! And to the OP...I sure hope your baby's broken tail isn't hurting him too badly!
 

devlyn

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I have to say that when Pippin was recovering from his PU surgery I could really tell when he needed another dose of it. Within a few hours he was much perkier, moving more easily and in less pain. It also didn't make him doped up or spazy, just made him feel obviously better.
The vet did tell me that it was not approved for cats beforehand, but that it was a off label use. He also made sure that we only used it when necessary and weaned him off ASAP. I'm very much pro-pain-management in my pets and so is my vet. He says there is no reason for them to have to be in pain with the medications available. I find my pets recover much faster when they don't have the stress of pain.
If it's ever prescribed again, I would ask about the effects on the kidneys and liver, however. I like to be informed of the risks and benefits. AFAIK, it's the only non-steroidal anti-inflammatory out there.

Devlyn
 

booktigger

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All the cats I have used it on have been seniors, and 2 of the 3 have had full bloods done after use (not for that reason though, just something that was either routine or cos vet was concerned), and neither had any liver or kidney issues.
 

cloud_shade

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With the kidneys, signs of kidney insufficiency (including on blood tests) don't show up until approximately 70% of the nephrons have died. The problem is, there isn't any real way to measure how many nephrons the cat has left, so they could be borderline without us knowing it. I'm not personally willing to risk giving medicine to my cat that might damage their nephrons further, especially not knowing how many they have remaining (for more information about how renal failure is defined and how the nephrons work: http://www.felinecrf.org/what_is_crf.htm). I'm certainly not against pain medicines, but I feel there are other, safer options out there. Cats don't process NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) well, which is why there aren't any others available, and which is why Metacam only has one approved use in cats.
 

rang_27

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I had to think about it, but this was given to Isaac after his neuter & Maggie after her spay. Levi & Jordan were neutered before this was used.
 

stephanietx

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My older cat, Callie, was given this early last year when we discovered she has arthritis. I didn't like the way it affected her and have since told the vet that they are NEVER, EVER to give it to her without my permission (and my permission only) and that I would only grant it in an extreme situation. After the initial perkiness wore off...several hours...she was very skittish, withdrawn, and just plain not herself.

Stephanie
 

tru

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I am really glad this thread was posted when it was.

Today I took my Boo to the vet to be checked for UTI. She has been peeing the bed when she sleeps. This is something that has gone on for a while and I had thought it was the results of Manx Syndrome, (which some of it may well be). I adopted her from the local pound and they said she came in as a stray, but after dealing with several issues with her, I surmised she may be the results of a BYB with two tailless Manx being bred, thus resulting in several genetic problems.

Her bed wetting had increased in the last couple months so I thought I should have her checked out and see if there is anything we can do. The didn't find an infection, but they did find Struvite crystals.

The vet said they would like to give antibiotics in case of a hidden infection and would send Clavamox and Metacam home. Since I had just read this thread last night, I immediately brought up the concerns about giving Metacam to cats citing the fact that I had just read about the dangers of same. She responded that that's why it would be a small dosage for a very short time.

Again, thanks to this thread I asked her about giving Tramadol, and if they had that available. She said "You really have been doing some reading, haven't you?"

I told her that I belong to a forum that is very helpful for we cat owners and that with having 19 cats to care for I do try to gain a little knowledge and give the cats the best care possible.

Thanks to this site I can sometimes do just that!
 

taterbug

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I wonder why they are so quick to give Metacam to cats then? Is it because it works faster than the others or is it more readily available?? Do the vets get a kickback off the sale?? I mean...if they know there are better meds...then why even try dispensing it? I know there isn't that much difference in price! As Tru stated....the vet was going to give her metacam...until she requested a different med. Do they want a guarantee that these kitty's will be back at their offices with kidney issues?? What is the reason?
 

tru

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Originally Posted by taterbug

I wonder why they are so quick to give Metacam to cats then? Is it because it works faster than the others or is it more readily available?? Do the vets get a kickback off the sale?? I mean...if they know there are better meds...then why even try dispensing it? I know there isn't that much difference in price! As Tru stated....the vet was going to give her metacam...until she requested a different med. Do they want a guarantee that these kitty's will be back at their offices with kidney issues?? What is the reason?
I think it has more to do with them using what they are use to and hence more comfortable with.

I had never heard of Metacam till Stinker, Boo and Sassy were spayed last year. When I read about Tramadol being a safer alternative, I was more comfortable with that because it is one of the meds my mates mom uses that I order and put up for her.

ETA: I also think it's a little counter productive to dispense such a product to a cat that is having urinary issues of all thinks! DUH!
 

booktigger

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I have never heard of Tramadol, and wondering if it is somethign that is available in the UK, as Metacam is the medicine of choice - I have had it for urinary and joint issues.
 
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i am furniture

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I brought Lightning back to the vet the next day and I was given Tramdol to administer. I am having a heck of a time getting him to take it though.

If I don't get it in the first time there is lots of frothing at the mouth, due to it's bitter taste. I tried putting it into a pill pocket (gelitan casing) but he bit into it and then tasted the bitternes of the pill. We are picking up a "pill popper" to try out.

Success with the Pill Popper gadget, it gets the pill past his tounge.
 

tru

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Originally Posted by booktigger

I have never heard of Tramadol, and wondering if it is somethign that is available in the UK, as Metacam is the medicine of choice - I have had it for urinary and joint issues.
Tramadol is a generic name. Ultram is the Brand name and it's an NSAID.
 

cinder

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I have only used Metacam once. My Bullseye was diagnosed with oral cancer (SCC) the first of November. Within 10 days he was in pain even trying to eat soft/liquid foods. After discussing the possible side effects of Metacam with the vet we decided to go ahead with it. It gave him almost immediate relief and did not seem to affect his behavior at all. He received daily doses until January 22nd, when I chose to let him go due to the rapid growth of the cancer. I read all the warnings too, but in our situation it was the only thing that gave Bullseye an additional two months of quality life. I'd probably have to research it again given a situation where the cat was not terminal, but I have never seen anything work so fast or well. He also didn't object to the taste.
 
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