Metacam and UTI and CKD

....and probably IBD.

My cat has been eating very little the past week and yesterday went on food strike. Yesterday I also noticed her having problems peeing (digging multiple holes in the litter, trying multiple times and only a few drops coming out) so I took her to the vet today. The vet gave her a shot of butylscopolamine and metacam, and sent me home with a bottle of metacam for me to give her orally for the next couple days. (I still need to bring him a urine sample to figure out if she needs antibiotics or anything.)

My question: should I continue with the metacam? I've heard it can cause problems, especially in cats with kidney problems, and I tried to bring it up with the vet and he was like, it's ok for short term use. Here in Germany, the oral suspension IS labeled for cats but I don't know if that's because it's formulated differently than in the US or if it's just looser regulation. Dosage: 1.75 mg/day (3.5 ml of a 0.5 mg/ml suspension). I'm not sure how much was in the injection (the receipt says 0.25 ml Metacam 5mg injection solution for dogs and cats Fl/10.00 ml).

(And question 2: does it sound like a sign that I should get another vet?)

She's eating again now, at least. Her CKD is I think ISIS stage 2 (slightly elevated creatinine, normal BUN, last checked 6 mo ago), her probable IBD is consistently elevated eosinophils and intermittent diarrhea/squishy stools.

Hi samus.

Just a very quick note to you - I don't have time to stay longer, sorry.

I think this is beyond craziness it's more like gross veterinary incompetence in feline medicine.

Yes, find a competent cat-only vet.....a competent feline vet will know that Metcam (meloxicam) is contra-indicated in cats with urinary restriction issues.

I'm shocked seeing the dosage prescribed for the oral suspension....waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much, I'm sure.

I would NOT give the cat ANY more.......I would take her to a cat-only vet ASAP !

Why didn't he take a urine sample when you were there in the office? If you can't get the urine sample to them within about 15 min it becomes contaminated (bacteria and whatnot start to grow in it) and it's useless to test it. At least, that's what my vet has told me several times. 

And he gave her two injections for pain without even knowing what the problem is? Obviously she having difficulty peeing and she sounds blocked up. I don't think the pain is the primary issue here. 

I'd go to another vet right away and not bother with the Metacam. 

Thanks for the perspective.

He tried to get a urine sample, but her bladder was too empty. Would a slightly old sample still be useless for looking for crystals and stuff? Would keeping it in the fridge/on ice help?

To complicate things further, I'm in Germany and my German probably isn't quite up to dealing with a serious medical situation. That limits my vet choices greatly.

samus said:

 
I'm in Germany and my German probably isn't quite up to dealing with a serious medical situation. That limits my vet choices greatly.

Click to expand...

Here's a link to search for vets registered with the International Society of Feline Medicine - in the drop down menu, you'll see England is the default country...select Germany.....then look for "Cat ONLY" ("cat friendly" is only that: friendly ): International Cat Care - Find A Vet

Yes, the "old sample" of urine is useless.....off to find a feline vet !

Thanks! The one cat only vet in my town is going to try to squeeze me in tomorrow.

(And for laziness reasons I'm relieved to hear that I shouldn't bother to replace all the litter with plastic and collect a sample... Just makes no sense to me at all, especially with experience of the "clean catch" technique you're supposed to do as a human patient when you're getting you're urine checked.)