Metacam for an elderly arthritic cat - your experiences please?

Slinky

Our vet prescribed some food for our Merlin, I think it was called Hills SD or something similar, a high calorific food for cats who are eating very little. Its like a pate, I ended up dipping a finger in it and he licked it off my finger, anything to make him eat.

troubleinparadise

I've had two dogs that have been prescribed Metacam for arthritis, and been given somilar warnings by the vet of the possibility of unpleasant side effects - which neither suffered from.

However, an animal that is in pain must be given relief - they cannot tell you of the pain, but we all know that arthritis is very painful, and an animal is no different in its suffering.

If the ongoing condition is properly monitored, then any negative reaction can be addressed. Other medications are available if that doesn't suit.

But to deny the animal pain relief because of a possible side effect is cruel.

bacardi66

Gold_Dust wrote: »

My situation is exactly the same (minus three years and the food brands). I believe that inappetence has been listed as one of the side effects of metacam, so that could be why he's being such a picky lad now. Don't wait until he hasn't been eating a while to contact the vet, give them a ring and see what else they have that they can recommend for him before he reaches the point of hospitalisation. The vet might prescribe an appetite stimulant for him, and you'll be on your way to munch-town in no time.

Other things that you could try are:

Fortiflora - the things that I have heard about this supplement make it sound like magic. You just sprinkle some on the food and kitty cannot resist eating it! I haven't tried it myself yet (completely forgot about it until now) but this stuff comes highly recommended. It's almost like kitty crack! Your vet might have some in stock if you don't want to buy a whole pack before trying it.

Bone broth - to help get some nutrition and water in while he's being picky. It takes a while to make, so to determine whether it's worth it or not you can make some quick chicken broth - just boil until the chicken is done, allow the broth to cool and serve it to the kitkat. I have tried this and most cats seem to like it.

Raw meat or plain boiled-chicken- just give a teensy bit a try if he shows interest in the scent.

Raising the bowl - he might be feeling nauseous, and raising the height of the bowl so that his mouth is higher than his stomach when he eats could help (it prevents acid reflux).

Putting bits of wet food onto the top of his paws - I've done this a couple of times with my old man. He's a fastidious groomer and he can't resist licking the 'dirt' off.


Thanks so much for these suggestions, they are much appreciated - I will give them a go. He did eat some prawns last night and some M&S cat food which was more than he has eaten for days - I started the Metacam on Monday so he has had 3 doses. I also got an appetite stimulant from the vet yesterday so I will see if that helps him.

troubleinparadise

Good luck Bacardi, I hope your cat picks up.

I hadn't realised (to my shame) that my dog's quieter behaviour was probably down to pain, and not just being older. Once she started on the Metacam she was much more sprightly.

I have been told that if the Metacam isn't dealing with the pain adequately she can have an additional alternative type of pain relief medication (non-NSAID) to help if needed.

Gold_Dust_2

bacardi66 wrote: »

Thanks so much for these suggestions, they are much appreciated - I will give them a go. He did eat some prawns last night and some M&S cat food which was more than he has eaten for days - I started the Metacam on Monday so he has had 3 doses. I also got an appetite stimulant from the vet yesterday so I will see if that helps him.

No problem, I only hope that something on there helps. With the appetite stimulant, prepare yourself for a lot of meowing at first. I'm not sure if it happens to all cats, but I've heard that they can get quite vocal on the stuff. Just out of curiosity, is it the long-acting stuff or one that you dose daily?

The food that Slinky mentioned sounds like Hills a/d to me. I've fed it before, but I'm not sure if you'd need it at this point. The vet nurse told me that they use it for animals in a critical condition, and it doesn't sound like your old boy is in that condition (thankfully). You could mention that to your vet though if you pop by them again, or Royal Canin 'Recovery' or 'Convalescence support' to see whether they think that it would be appropriate.

As I said before, it is important to know what your cat's recommended daily intake is, as it'll make your life so much easier if this continues. It could be as simple as weighing the amount you put into his bowl in the morning and just feeding out bits from there all day, or you could quickly weigh whatever you're about to try with him just before you give it to him. I've found doing this invaluable as I didn't think that my cat was eating enough in his little drips and drabs until I started counting. Obviously it's optional, but recommended.

I'm so glad to hear that he is eating something! Hopefully he'll start to pick up from here on out. Please do give me some feedback on the things that you try, that would be so helpful for my own situation.

bacardi66

Thanks for your replies - unfortunately he has stopped eating again today Ive been at work since early am so haven't had a chance to do the bone broth or fortiflora but hopefully tomorrow I can.

The vet I spoke to yesterday said that she thought perhaps he was coming to the end of his life and if he doesn't pick up then I should think about having him PTS, but he is still using the litter tray, can jump and down from the sofa and purrs when he gets attention so I'm not sure if the time is right. I cannot bear the thought of him suffering and me not knowing and keeping him going for too long.

bacardi66

Gold_Dust wrote: »

No problem, I only hope that something on there helps. With the appetite stimulant, prepare yourself for a lot of meowing at first. I'm not sure if it happens to all cats, but I've heard that they can get quite vocal on the stuff. Just out of curiosity, is it the long-acting stuff or one that you dose daily?


I think it must be the long acting as he is only having quarter of a tablet every 3 days - not that its made any difference at all so far

He has never been a vocal cat and never miaows so that will be a shock if he suddenly starts!

Gold_Dust_2

Mirtazipine, I'm guessing?

I am honestly facing the same situation that you are, except that I know my boy's definitely coming to the end as he has cancer. My plan though is to keep going until he gives me a clear indication that's he's ready i.e. him being listless or something else, but for now he's still purring, meowing, walking around and everything, he's just more tired than usual and a bit picky with his food. It's up to you how you feel about the situation though, but that is how I'm going about mine.

The stimulant has had no effect whatsoever? Are you sure he actually ate it and didn't spit it out? Give it a bit of time (and keep trying to tempt him) and if he's not going for it by tomorrow, then you should give the vet a ring. Has the vet done any tests to rule out pancreatitis etc.?

If you wanted to, you could ask them to put in a feeding tube....it's just an idea. Not sure if it's a good idea at his age, but I just thought that I'd mention it.

He has never been a vocal cat and never miaows so that will be a shock if he suddenly starts

:rotfl:

bacardi66

Gold_Dust wrote: »

Mirtazipine, I'm guessing?

I am honestly facing the same situation that you are, except that I know my boy's definitely coming to the end as he has cancer. My plan though is to keep going until he gives me a clear indication that's he's ready i.e. him being listless or something else, but for now he's still purring, meowing, walking around and everything, he's just more tired than usual and a bit picky with his food. It's up to you how you feel about the situation though, but that is how I'm going about mine.

The stimulant has had no effect whatsoever? Are you sure he actually ate it and didn't spit it out? Give it a bit of time (and keep trying to tempt him) and if he's not going for it by tomorrow, then you should give the vet a ring. Has the vet done any tests to rule out pancreatitis etc.?

If you wanted to, you could ask them to put in a feeding tube....it's just an idea. Not sure if it's a good idea at his age, but I just thought that I'd mention it.



Thanks so much Gold Dust I definitely agree with you - until he shows clear signs he is not happy then I won't do anything. I do wonder if he has some kind of cancer or other illness but the vet said he has actually put on weight since the summer and she couldn't feel anything untoward and the bloods showed no problem with his kidney or liver function. The vet suggested that perhaps he is just slowly dying of old age - he is only a few months off 20.

I crushed the appetite stimulant and put it with some lick e lix but Im not sure if he had much of it I might try another dose tonight.

He was so distressed after the trip to the vet last week (his back legs collapsed when we got home and he wet himself - which he has never done in his life) and because of this age I really don't want to subject him to any more tests etc. The vet I spoke to said they can do a home visit when the time comes to PTS and that is what I want for him.

I haven't given up hope thought - 2 years ago he went through nearly 9 days of barely eating and just lay on the bedroom floor, the vet couldn't find anything wrong and he suddenly recovered and returned to normal.:)

Gold_Dust_2

Poor kitty! I don't think I'd put him through another vet visit if he did that either, unless it was really necessary. I hope it is just a transient illness that passes quickly.

I would check with the vet before giving another dose of the stimulant though, unless they instructed you to do that beforehand? Because an overstimulated kitty is not a pretty sight.

I hope that his appetite has picked up by now!

(P.S. If you erase the end of a post, put [/quote] at the end and it'll keep it as a quote )