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.