metacam: opinions?

[Freedom]

I think they do routine blood draws to monitor the liver, when metacam is used long term. It will help him feel better, poor kitty.

[smokey the elder]

Here's the wikipedia entry: specifically says do not use in cat. Unfortunately, so many meds are toxic to cats. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meloxicam

[Moesha]

I believe I also have read that one of the Vitamin B's helps the neuropathy. B12 maybe. You might want to give that a try before using the pain medicine.

[Jessika]

Metacam is the trade, meloxicam is the generic. I've worked with doctors that refuse to use it with cats because of the possible side effects... and I have worked with doctors that will use it as a one-time dose after surgery, such as a spay, but does not send any home. I do not know of any feline patients that we have ever put on it long-term due to the side effects.

That having been said, sometimes you have to weigh the pros and cons and look at quality of life as a factor. Doesn't sound like a very good quality of life right now. The risk of using meloxicam long-term may lead to liver damage, but in the mean time your kitty can get around pain-free.

If this is a route you choose to take, I strongly recommend doing labwork to check the liver to ensure the med is not adversly affecting your kitty.

[smokey the elder]

It is approved as a post-op pain med since it's a short-term use.

[Karen]

Trinityagain, I asked the vets about your issue on the show today. They both said that the metacam is NOT for long-term use in cats, usually a single dose after surgery at best, but they had other ideas for you to help poor Zingo - although Dr. Carol called him a dog at one point, I corrected her! I will send you the audio files once I get them!

[Moesha]

Could I get the audio files also? I'd be interested in hearing what they said since I have a new diabetic kitty with the possible beginnings of neuropathy.