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The "DO NOT USE" Drugs List at the vet's office, what's yours? - Page 2

post #31 of 37
2/7/10 at 1:17pm
My vet does not use Ketamine. However, I'm going to add it to my 'Do Not Use' list. The vet staff already thinks I'm nuts because I won't allow them to give them Metacam, steroids, grains, and I feed partially raw.
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post #32 of 37
2/7/10 at 6:15pm
Tolly has a very serious herpes viral infection that is controlled with l-lysine.

He is not on a grain free diet, he does very poorly on grain free, with weight loss that he can ill afford, and dull coat. Eating foods with barley and rice does not cause him to have herpes flare ups, nor did the three year RCCP shot. He no longer gets it, because it makes him sick in another way, he becomes lethargic and won't eat for two days after, and vet and I feel he no longer needs the shot.

The stress of going to the vet can bring on a herpes flare up with a cat so prone, I'm not convinced the vaccine can cause a flare up, but can't swear to it, just because it doesn't cause a flare up in Tolly doesn't mean other cats are not sensitive to it in that way.
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post #33 of 37
2/7/10 at 6:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pookie-poo View Post
Ketamine has been around a long time, and most vets are familiar with it's use. It's relatively inexpensive to use, and most vets are aware of it's benefits and risks. Propofol has been around for about 20 years in human anesthesia medicine. I don't know when it was introduced to the veterinary community for anesthesia induction. It is quite a bit more expensive than Ketamine (at least in the O.R. where I work, so I am assuming it must be more expensive in a veterinary practice.)

I prefer to not use Ketamine because it can cause a significant increase of bloodpressure, elevated heart rate and respiratory depression. CRF cats often have elevated blood pressure to begin with, and Cleo also has a heart murmur. Ketamine is also contraindicated in pets with liver disease, and kidney disease. It is metabolized slowly, so it has a prolonged action. It can also cause seizures. I would prefer something much faster acting, much shorter acting, more kidney friendly, and causes so many fewer side effects, such as Propofol.

http://www.petplace.com/drug-library...ket/page1.aspx

http://cats.about.com/cs/anesthesia/...standing_2.htm
Because of it's effects on blood pressure and heart rate, Ketamine can also cause heart failure and even instant death in cats with cardiomyopathy. And since there are so many cats out there with undiagnosed heart conditions, like HCM, it's just not a risk I'm willing to take - especially with so many safer options available.
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post #34 of 37
2/8/10 at 6:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrookeSphynx View Post
Because of it's effects on blood pressure and heart rate, Ketamine can also cause heart failure and even instant death in cats with cardiomyopathy. And since there are so many cats out there with undiagnosed heart conditions, like HCM, it's just not a risk I'm willing to take - especially with so many safer options available.
Thank you both for explaining about ketamine. I will definitely add it to my Do Not Use list.
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post #35 of 37
2/8/10 at 6:45am
I think I'm going to add the Convenia, long acting antibiotic shot, to my do not use list for my cats. I read recently that cats allergic to penicillin should not have Convenia.

Since none of my cats can tolerate clavamox, (which is penicillin) that would mean they should not have the shot.
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post #36 of 37
2/11/10 at 4:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlleyGirl View Post
Can I ask what the problem is with Ketamine? Mine have not had surgery (since they were neutered) but I would like to know in case they need something in the future.

I've heard about the Metacam problems and that is on my do not use list, but would like to know about Ketamine if I need to add that. Do most vets use it as first choice?
My first abyssinian died from Ketamine reaction. He was 5 years old. He did not die right away and was going in and out of a coma for days. When it first happened he was rushed back to the vet and kept under constant treatment for the last days of his life. The last day I visited him he was acting really strange and he didn't know it was me. Tommy passed away that night and that was one of the hardest deaths I have had to deal with. It happened 6 years ago and I still cry when I think about him. From now on if any of my cats have to have anesthetic I only allow ISO.
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post #37 of 37
2/12/10 at 2:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlleyGirl View Post
Can I ask what the problem is with Ketamine?
Thanks to this board I advised my vet to use an alternative anesthesia for ketamine when we had Gizmo neutered. We did use isoflurane and had no problems whatsoever. Here is an article about a recall of ketamine:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...scol011310.DTL
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