Transdermal codeine

Hello, this is my first post. I am looking for some much needed input.
I have an 18 year old kitty, she is taking gabapentin for arthritis and also metacam.
She had some possible side effect (diarrhea) from the metacam, that did seem to clear up after a couple day break from using it.
She has slightly elevated kidney count.
My vet called today and suggested that metacam might not be choice drug for my kitty, because of the kidney values being somewhat elevated. Transdermal codeine was suggested.
Has anyone used transdermal codeine for their cat? If so, any side effects?
Also, my cat has a heart murmur so I'm wondering about safety of the codeine for her.
Man o man this med stuff gets confusing! :dk:

Gosh, I don't recall ever hearing of anyone giving codeine to their cats for anything in all the years I've been here on TCS (doesn't mean it didn't happen though).

For arthritis, many cats do use Gabapentin, and many also use Adequan (injections), along with Dasequin (open capsule mixed into their food).  Some also use Buprenex, and I'm sure there are other medications I'm forgetting.  On the holistic side, some people use Krill Oil and some even use ground up chicken feet to help. 

I hadn't heard of it either but there are new things coming out all the time.  The only patch I heard of here was a Fentanyl patch which was used for pancreatitis.

I do know that in humans codeine can cause constipation, I think that is true of many of the narcotic type pain killers.  If that would become a concern a daily dose of Miralax will keep things moving..

I had a long chat with a different vet. (Then the one that prescribed it)about my concerns with using the codeine.
1) the constipation it could cause
2) she is 18 and it says be cautious when using in senior pets
3) she has high blood pressure and a heart murmur
4) it's a narcotic

In doing some internet searching, I decided not to use it for my kitty,.
I think it's too many cons vs. pros.
Not comfortable in giving it to my kitty, and my heart feelings were telling me it wasn't right for her.

It's hard to know what is the right thing to do with meds. She will be going on a BP medication, her BP is ridiculously high, and staying with the gabapentin. With the option of giving gabapentin at 8 hrs instead of the 12 hours when she's having a 'bad' day.

Thank you Denise and Mrsgreenjeans for responding to my question. I appreciate it very much!

Very important to get her BP under control.  That can cause blindness in cats  

Hopefully the Gabapentin will do the trick for her pain. If not, there ARE the other options mentioned above.

Yes, unfortunately my kitty is blind . I had been trying to tell one of the Vets that she was going blind for quite some time...not until February was her blood pressure taken. Had I have known before that it was a possibility of high blood pressure causing her to be blind....I had no idea about that back then.
I'm so sad I let this happen. Now I can only pray that she will feel better, and get her BP down to a normal range. She had her first 1/4 of a pill tonight.

Gemmysmom said:

Yes, unfortunately my kitty is blind

. I had been trying to tell one of the Vets that she was going blind for quite some time...not until February was her blood pressure taken. Had I have known before that it was a possibility of high blood pressure causing her to be blind....I had no idea about that back then.
I'm so sad I let this happen. Now I can only pray that she will feel better, and get her BP down to a normal range. She had her first 1/4 of a pill tonight.

Click to expand...

Does your Vet think there is any chance she can regain any vision once her BP is under control?  Sometimes it can happen, but not always

Let's hope the medication at least helps with the BP, because that being out of whack can make one not feel good, and let's hope the pain meds help too.

Thank you Mrsgreenjeans,

My Vet. didn't say, I think she has been without sight for too long to regain it back.. I will hold on to hope that she could regain some sight.

My hope is for her to be comfortable and content. She is the sweetess, most gentle kitty, never has she been nasty or mean with anyone or another cat.

I sure hope that her pain meds and BP meds work well for her and make her feel better.