metacam: opinions?

[Karen]

I believe it is the same drug as meloxicam (may be the generic) which helped Lady(elder canine niece) be more comfortable in her last year, much to the dismay of Patch (kitty).

[Moesha]

My vet doesn't like to give it to cats, especially for long periods of time. Has Zingo's diabetes been controlled by insulin? I had a diabetic kitty a few years ago that I was able to wean off of the insulin and control it with food. I currently have one that we are working on getting the insulin amount regulated. He has some mobility issues, but the vet wants to get the diabetes regulated before dealing with that. Often once the diabetes is controlled the neuropathy improves.

[Asiel]

We tried using it on a few of our dogs but it always made them vomit so we don't bother using it anymore and our vet agrees the side effect isn't good. I guess if it doesn't make him sick and helps then I would go with it---every drug has it's own side effects and I guess we have to weigh the benefit versus the side effects.

[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.