Inappropriate Urinating After Buprenex (Pain Meds)

mej_1

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I'm asking this for a family member who called me a few hours ago in a panic.

He has a 17 y/o cat named Princess who is in stage 3 kidney disease, has pretty bad arthritis and a CCL (Cranial Cruciate Ligament) tear. The cat was prescribed sub-q fluids at home and an oral medication called Gabapentin (Neurontin) for the arthritis. The dosage is something around 25 mg twice daily for an 8.5 pound cat. If I'm not mistaken, that may be a little high for a cat with advanced CKD.

Anyway... He said that he called the vet clinic Friday afternoon because the Gabapentin didn't seem to be helping. They told him to go ahead and give the cat some of the leftover Buprenex, which he gave to Princess Saturday morning. According to his wife, within two hours the cat began urinating in various places throughout the house over the course of maybe 6-8 hours. That's when he called me.

Considering the vet clinic is closed until Monday, we're looking to get some idea as to what's going on and if it's serious. He's worried she may need to go to the emergency clinic which is over an hour away.

The cat received 100 mL of fluids Thursday evening. She seemed fine until she received the Buprenex. She never had a problem with it before. Does anyone have any ideas on this? Other than the inappropriate urinating, she seems as fine as a cat with arthritis pain can be.
 

stephenq

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@mej_1

I've never heard of Buprenex causing a cat to pee but it is a narcotic and can disorient cat.  Do you know if the dosage was appropriate?

This site says that Bupe should not be given to cats with kidney disease.

http://www.ehow.com/list_6369450_side-effects-buprenorphine-cats.html

I would stop the Bupe until you know what's going on.

Can you call the 24/7 clinic?

The ASPCA poison control hotline also has info on essentially all prescription drugs so you could also call them for advice, they are open 24/7.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

(888) 426-4435
 

red top rescue

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Additionally, inappropriate urination is common in cats with advanced kidney disease, so these medications may have just pushed her to that point.  If she were mine, I'd be giving her some electrolytes mixed in water, like Bounce Back or Dumor Electrolytes Supplement (available at any Tractor Supply, and they are open on Sunday)
 
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mej_1

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I talked to him this morning and he said Princess is behaving normally - no inappropriate urination. I don't know what the dosage was on the Buprenex but she's had it before with no problems.

Some things that concern me:
He did say that the Buprenex expired last summer, which he didn't know until after he used it.
I do question the dosage of the Gabapentin for a cat with advanced kidney disease. 
I question whether the Buprenex should be prescribed with Gabapentin, or at least at those dosages considering they both cause sedation.

He's going to call the vet Monday morning to inform them of what happened. Personally, I question whether the vet actually authorized the Buprenex to be used with the Gabapentin or whether a tech did. 
 

stephenq

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I talked to him this morning and he said Princess is behaving normally - no inappropriate urination. I don't know what the dosage was on the Buprenex but she's had it before with no problems.

Some things that concern me:
He did say that the Buprenex expired last summer, which he didn't know until after he used it.
I do question the dosage of the Gabapentin for a cat with advanced kidney disease. 
I question whether the Buprenex should be prescribed with Gabapentin, or at least at those dosages considering they both cause sedation.

He's going to call the vet Monday morning to inform them of what happened. Personally, I question whether the vet actually authorized the Buprenex to be used with the Gabapentin or whether a tech did. 
All good issues and you may also ask how the vet feels about using Bupe with kidney failure as there was this reference that suggested it was an issue.

http://www.ehow.com/list_6369450_side-effects-buprenorphine-cats.html

But good news that things are better! :)
 
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