Metacam and 15 year old cat Missy

tinybash

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Missy has just turned 15 and recently been prescribed Metacam for arthritis. We were told to give her a 5kg dose once a day for the first week and then dose according to how she is. Has anyone any experience of this? I was thinking of lowering the dose weeks two and three and then maybe trying every second day to see how things go. We've already adapted the house so she doesn't have to jump on the sofa or bed and has easy access to her bowls and her own bed. Any suggestions would be appreciated :)
 

mrsgreenjeens

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OH!  I see you have the very same "nest" that we have for our senior kitty.  Of course, NONE of our cats will go near it
, including the senior.  they will climb the rest of the cat tower, but won't dare stop foot in the "nest", silly goofs.

As far as the Metacam goes, here in the U.S., the word Metacam gets GASPS.  (and not in a good way)  I know it's completely different across the pond.  So, we'll have to wait for someone "over there" to respond.

I have heard great things,though, using things like ground chicken feet (full of collagen), and Krill Oil, things like that.  They aren't pain killers though, simply things to help with  joint health.  I guess you may have already tried Cosequin and /or Dasequin, which are also for joint health.  I'm guessing you are past that stage.  Heat is good too.  Heated bed, a heat lamp, that sort of thing.   
 

catladyvettech

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I agree with what mrsgreenjeens says. Metacam isn't used here in the U.S. very often as a long term pain med for cats because chronic use can cause kidney/liver dysfunction, especially in older cats. If it is prescribed though, the vet will usually run routine lab work to make sure it's not damaging those organs.

However, there are different/better pain meds for kitty arthritis. Some cats do well with prednisolone which deals with inflammation. There's also supplements like mrsgreenjeens mentioned and there's Adequan which is an injectable glucosamine medication that works wonders for old kitties. Personally, I would combine glucosamine with an opioid painkiller, like buprenorphine or tramadol. Opioids are very safe to use and are quite effective at relieving pain. Combine it with something to help treat the inflammation and you've got a safer medication regime than metacam. It sounds like you're already a bit nervous about giving metacam so talk to your vet about other possible options. Good luck!
 
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