Cats and Metacam?

gettingready

George has been prescribed Metacam following his surgery 2 days ago, I just came across this and frankly I am horrified and have no idea what to do?

http://www.metacamkills.com/

I only gave him one dose since I brought him home yesterday evening, he got his body weight dose around midday today and is pretty much sleeping since then only getting up to use the litter tray.

The surger was on his leg...

Will call the vets tomorrow morning to see if they can change his meds??????

Oliver14

Dont worry its a scaremongering site believe your vet not some random ranting site with an agenda.

As with all drugs there can be negatives with metacam but vetsxwouldnt use it if they thought it would hurt your cat.

Calm down and speak to your vet in the morn. I've had numerous cats over the years on metacam for small and large periods ofctime with no problems.

Remember anyone can put anything on the internet be it true' exagerated or just plain rubbish

gettingready

I am just so worried.. George is only 1 year old and already such a mojr surgery and possibly another one on his other back leg...

I do realise that as with humans - some will be fine on one meds and not on the others it is all very individual.

Just so worried looking at him so lethargic and sleeping all day - George is the most active of all my cats and this happened to him.. He is the one always out catching flies and jumping trees and 6 weeks (possibly twice) in cage rest now poor thing.

Had similar scare with Rimadyl for my dog before, not Matacam for cats... It is so difficult to know what to think who to trust really

hotcookie101

Please don't panic. Metacam is well tolerated in most cats, especially young healthy ones with no pre-existing conditions. It's pretty much the only licensed painkiller for cats, and it's anti-inflammatory action is useful post surgery.
I prescribe it loads, and have rarely seen any issues. I even give it to cats with chronic renal disease (which is contra-indicated on the label) after discussion with owners if we feel the cat needs the pain relief. Discuss it with your vet, but please-do not believe that scaremongering site!

hotcookie101

That is also an american site, oral metacam is licensed in the UK for cats, has passed stringent testing re safety etc etc.

gettingready

Thanks, will call the vet tomorrow morning - for the moment watching little George and see if there is anything stratge about him.

So far he seems pretty as one would expect post major surgery - just sleeping it all off with waking up just for toilet and a bite to eat...

rising_from_the_ashes

My dog's on it all the time and is fine (tried several such as Rimadyl before which upset his tum).

Also used for various cats for post-op period and had no problems - it's like pretty much any drug where certain individuals may have a reaction to is and, yes, there may be effects if used long term (which post-op shouldn't be) but you have to weigh up the risks of them taking it and leading a pain free life or being constantly in pain and suffering.

It did make my cats sleep a lot and TBH it's probably just as well so soon after the op as at least he's not running around and risking damaging it (that's still to come!)

Jemima09

My cat has been on metacam a few times now, for varying lengths of time. She's had it for broken bones (foot and tail!) and most recently for a particularly bad case of cystitis.

She's been absolutely fine on it, although the first times she had it she did have blood in her poo which was quite scary, but the vet said it does affect some cats, and it settled down after a while. She didn't seem to get that this last time, too busy bleeding in her pee I suppose..

paddypaws101

Oh no poor George, what happened GR??

tankgirl1

hotcookie101 wrote: »

Please don't panic. Metacam is well tolerated in most cats, especially young healthy ones with no pre-existing conditions. It's pretty much the only licensed painkiller for cats, and it's anti-inflammatory action is useful post surgery.
I prescribe it loads, and have rarely seen any issues. I even give it to cats with chronic renal disease (which is contra-indicated on the label) after discussion with owners if we feel the cat needs the pain relief. Discuss it with your vet, but please-do not believe that scaremongering site!

I second this!

I have seen tons of cats on metacam, who have done brilliantly. Yes there always will be individuals who react badly, but the same can be said for any other painkiller.
Metacam is tested, licenced and widely used for cats. I shouldn't worry, especially as kitty will only be on it temporarily - cruciate surgery wasn't it?
Just make sure it is taken with or after food, and monitor for diarrhoea - bear in mind that the surgery, stress, ga drugs etc will take a day or so to wear off though.

Hugs to your purrbaby x

snowman2_2

EVERY DRUG is potentially dangerous and side effects are possible with anything. Pure oxygen and sugar have safe levels (1 week in pure oxygen will kill 50% of rats tested) and it is up to legal authorities to test drugs, vets, Doctors & owners to assess those risks compared to the benefits they give. Some of the most useful chemotherapy drugs that save many lives are also the most dangerous. Life is a balance of risk and reward.

Saying that, Metacam is at the safer end of things. I have no worries about dispensing it to most of my patients and it is incredibly useful. I estimate minor side-effects at about 2% which settle within 2-3 days of stopping the metacam - usually gut upsets. I have not yet seen a serious side effect and the likes of the metacamkills are scientifically poor, taking a few peoples assumptions as gospel truth without ANY evidence. In Europe, we have a lower strength cat metacam, it has been available for much longer than in the US and the practical knowledge is much better. We also have an excellent reporting system for adverse reactions. Nothing is 100% safe, nothing works 100% but I would trust your vet, the VMD and just about every other vet in Europe more than this website

If anyone is worried about a drug reaction, always contact your vet, discuss your concerns and your vet can examine your pet, change medications and make a report if needed.