Metacam Effects in Cats - be aware!

[SlugLobber]

My kitty has a leg injury at the mo. At the vets yesterday, he was injected with metacam, before being booked for X-rays today.

As it happens, he started bearing weight on it this morning, so the nurse has booked him in this afternoon for the vet to re-examine (it was a locum vet yesterday).

Not sure why, possibly the biochemist in me, but I googled Metacam and was horrified to find a LOT of potentially lethal side effects, NONE of which I was told about. There is even a website set up to warn people. I am quite p*ssed off with the vet, yesterday. I understand that many medications have side effects, but I should have been told of the most serious ones, at least!

This was the worst website - probably contains lots of scaremongering, too, but still...


Metacam Kills Cats

And yes, I will be complaining to the practice manager, who I will see at the consultation later. I have now got a copy of the manufacturer's own product insert which has all sorts of warnings, including to tell the owner to look for signs of drug toxicity.

[piskieinboots]

ooh your poor kitty and you!! You certainly should have been told! I hope the babe repairs quickly with no nasty side effects

[Nicos]

Yikes- I've heard of it being used for dogs- but not cats!

Hope your puss recovers quickly

[Glutton4...]

That's really worrying!

Have to say, I heard similar stories about Rimadyl after my dog was prescribed it. I asked the Vet, who said the side effects are VERY rare, and usually happen very early on, whereas my chap had been on it nearly a year by then. Most of the 'scaremongering' was in America.

My chap's been on it over two years now, and no side effects so far.

I do hope your Cat is OK. Fingers crossed for you.

[SlugLobber]

Just to update. It seems that a newer version has been brought out for cats, so the website set up against it may be against the older version (I haven't checked). Even the newer version is only licensed for Sub-Q (cutaneous) and oral, not IV or IM (muscular), so still worth bearing in mind. The same side-effects are listed on the package insert (Rosco was injected the day before yesterday, so I didn't know there were two versions). So, possibly I am guilty of scaremongering, but I will still be observing him like a hawk.

Have managed to gt out of paying £400 for X-rays, but the vet yesterday (I got a second opinion at the same surgery) was much more on the ball and discovered a luxating patella (locking knee cap in English). As it's acute and not congenital, I'm hoping it heals naturally, but he may need surgery if it doesn't resolve itself. Poor little chap.

I've had to shut the dining room door to confine him in the eveninsg, as he comes upstairs to bed with me, normally and I don't want him climbing stairs at the mo. Was awfully lonely last night.

Healing vibes, please!

[SlugLobber]

p.s. yes, I have now got him insured. Quite a wake up call, although this injury obviously isn't covered!

[Spangles]

Sendng healing vibes to Rosco - hope all will be well. Heard a few stories about Metacam and Rimadyl. Thakfully none of my Springers have any problems yet. Our pets do like to worry us don't they

[greysquirrel]

I have to give my chinchilla metacam when he's recovering from dental surgery.

I do hope your cat is alright.

[chrispy]

hope Rosco gets better soon

[dogsbody]

Hope that Rosco is recovered soon, but to put the other point of view all 3 of my cats have had oral metacam in the last couple of years and all have been fine. 1 had a back injury, the second had been shot with an air rifle and the third had a very severe case of cystitis.

Metacam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory that is also used in humans (under another brand name), so like most medicines it is usually OK at recommended doses.

If you were to read the leaflet for aspirin it may give some folks nightmares too.

[sweetiepea]

Sorry to hear about your kitty sluglobber. None of my cats have been prescribed metacam, but my dear old dog as been on it for about a year now. It has given him a new lease of life. He damaged his cruciac (can’t spell) ligament and unfortunately, because of his age (14) and a slight heart murmur, he isn't fit enough for an operation. (He did the same thing to his older back leg over 5 years ago and had a very successful op). Anyway, he was so bad he couldn't walk. Metacam has literally changed his life. He can now not only stand on all fours, but goes for a two-mile walk every day!

Hope all goes well for Rosco.

[flubba-jubba]

hope he gets well soon!! give him a cuddle from me

[Hilary B]

Gemma got metacam for a slight tear to a tendon. She ended up not getting many doses, because the discomfort without it was enough to discourage her from over-doing exercise, without having to keep her on the lead all the time (which is a real problem with her since she has notions about privacy for... certain functions, and will only 'do' anything when on lead if too desperate to wait any longer). It also meant we didn't have to exercise her separately from OH's dog, which she would have been very distressed about.