I've given Metacam both short term and long term to several cats, and I know a number of my rescue friends have used it also. Used as prescribed it's a great drug giving excellent results and I've never seen a problem with any of my cats. The previous shelter vet insisted it could be given only once, so I queried my vet on the subject and he said that was old advice and the latest research has shown it to very well worth the minor risks - and risk is part of any drug.