Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Rosella moggy on May 03, 2014, 23:07:53 PM

Title: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 03, 2014, 23:07:53 PM
The words "anti inflammatory" suggest it might help stop itching?  Is that right?

Bobby Bob Bob had a very red eye and he has been kicking it with back foot.  It's worse now than it was earlier today.  This eye is a problem on and off following his two bouts of cat flu.

Out of hours of vet £177 for consultation and I've had a drink so taxis there and back will take it up to £200 without any meds!  I know all I need is fucithalmic but have none in atm.

Consultation fee tomorrow a mere snip at £142 and I can drive then. Just wondering if metacam would help stop itching overnight.  I know I should know  :-[

Am currently wiping with cooled down boiled water per tele call to Vets Now nurse.  Naturally she cannot advise on use of metacam.  Am tempted to give anyway as can hardly do that much harm............
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Liz on May 03, 2014, 23:42:12 PM
Yes should help with no issues roughly 1 measure per kilo
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 03, 2014, 23:50:59 PM
Cheers Liz  :)
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on May 04, 2014, 07:53:15 AM


Rosella, how is he this morning?  Bank Holidays can be a pain as well as a blessing.  Thinking of you and sending positive "anti-itch" vibes to Bobby Bob Bib.   :hug: :hug:

Liz - you're like our resident medic.  :) :hug:  Thank the Gods we have you!
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: sheilarose on May 04, 2014, 09:04:21 AM
Hoping hes feeling less itchy today, Rosella.  :hug:

Do you have a comfy collar in the house? It might stop him kicking.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=comfy+collar&tag=mh0a9-21&index=aps&hvadid=3170123426&ref=pd_sl_4leex3yzaz_pp
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 04, 2014, 10:12:31 AM
Bobby is indeed better than last night but we are not out of the woods so emergency vet visit still likely later today in case his eye has been scratched and would be good to get claws clipped on the foot he would use for scratching.

Thanks for being around last night Liz  :hug:  His eye looked so very sore when I posted around 11pm  :(

I gave him the metacam and checked him again around 3am.  It was still quite swollen but slightly less angry looking.  No discharge.  No idea what has happened. 

Suddenly remembered that I had applied stronghold yesterday so was worried sick that somehow he may have got some in his eye and rang vets now again around 3.30am.  Spoke to vet who said that unless I had seen it go in his eye, it would be a bit of a long shot. Obviously she couldn't hazzard a guess without seeing him.  I decided to leave him alone till this morning especially as I had given him metacam which she confirmed is what she would have done to reduce inflammation :) 

I do have a comfy collar Sheila.  Vets gave it me free on last visit for bite on his bum.  Keeping in reserve atm as Bob loves being under blanket which happily has the added effect of stopping him scratching. 
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 04, 2014, 11:06:16 AM
Anyone any experience of Companion Care vets? They are a nationwide chain it seems and we have one in Pets at Home in Oldbury about 5 miles away and they are open on Sundays ....

I just rang and they are fully booked today but agreed I can come if I'm happy to wait up to 40 mins.  Consult fee £16.50  :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: 

There's a catch right?  :shify:  Well  :shify:  she said if I can pop along about 12.50pm today  :shify: she will take all Bob's and my details so I'm gonna give it a try :shify: 

Practice nurse at Vets Now mentioned it to me last night.

Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on May 04, 2014, 11:38:21 AM
Not got any experience of them personally Rosella but hoping that all goes swimmingly well.   :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Liz on May 04, 2014, 11:41:31 AM
If you are that worried a vet is a vet and they can always give him an injection of Metacam which has a far bettert effect than the liquid - due to some of the conditions here Millie and her Arthritus, Chuckchop and his calici I have some inections in the fridge for emergency purposes and just decant down to a smaller needle if I need it for the little people thats why I get everybody weighed twice a year then we can have a rough guide for the interim times should we need to medicate

Having as many as we do someone always needs something but we donhave good months as well when its just the normal stuff :shocked:
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 04, 2014, 15:57:10 PM
Well I went and, whilst it was all a bit quick (kinda wham bam thankee mam and a bit unceremonious as he tipped me laddo out of his carrier  :-: ) rather attractive vet seemed fine to me.  He was incredibly busy having had two emergencies this morning and his VN hadn't shown up for work.  I heard this from another customer. 

Vet examined Bobby's eyes and found a scratch in his left one and gave me a tube of fusithalmic that I must keep giving twice daily until the tube is finished.  He said shouldn't be any further need for metacam but I should feel free to use the metacam I currently have if Bob shows signs of discomfort.  He weighed him (shoved dangly Bob under one arm and disappeared into another room for 5 seconds) and suggested a 5kg dose if required rather than the 4kg dose I gave last night.  Bob naturally was as good as gold  :)

I was in and out in under 15 mins including a nice chat with lovely black country people waiting to be seen with their dawgies.

£34.50!!!!! on a Sunday!!!!

 :what: :yayyy: :yayyy:
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: sheilarose on May 04, 2014, 17:08:35 PM
And a Bank Holiday weekend at that, fantastic!

So pleased you were able to get his meds, Rosella, I know how precious all your babies are but Bobby Bob Bob is a bit special isn't he?  ;)

Sending hugest snoozles for Bob and a squeeze for you my friend.  :cuddle:
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on May 04, 2014, 19:17:25 PM
Thats brillant Rosella and hope Bobby gets well quick  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Lyn (Slugsta) on May 04, 2014, 21:22:55 PM
That's very good news Rosella! I was brought up in the W Midlands and went to Olbury Tech (as was, many moons ago). My aunt used to live in Oldbury but is now in Tividale.
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 04, 2014, 22:26:31 PM
It's weird Lyn.  I'm a Brummie and don't know Oldbury much at all ......... except Pets at Home that is so was very handy that was were Companion Care have set up  :) 

Anyone who knows me though knows my sense of direction is utterly useless and, having not been to PAH Oldbury in a while as new one opened nearer me in Brum, I initially took the wrong exit off what I now understand is called Burntree Island?   :-[

I am a big fan of black country folk  :)  Usually so very friendly and didn't disappoint today  :)

Yes Sheila our Bob is a special lad.  Nothing but trouble in the health department but he would melt anyone's heart.  He really is such a sweetheart  :Luv2:  His eye is thankfully already looking less angry and I promise to finish the tube of ointment no matter how good it gets.  Vet repeated that 3 times.  Have doctored his supper with metacam to try and ensure it doesn't become inflamed overnight.  That should do the trick I think  :)
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: fluffybunny on May 04, 2014, 22:46:24 PM
Bless him  :Luv: what about Piriton (nb not piriteze, that's a different active ingredient) if there is a possibility the itching could be allergic?   Would need to be on vet advice, obviously, but might be something to consider.

I use a vets4pets practice and previously used a companion care, they're the same chain now.  They are basically like a franchise, each practice is owned by one or more of the vets and they have clinical and financial freedom, they have to comply with certain branding/opening times/preferred suppliers etc and pay for back office services such as HR and accounting.  So in that respect there will be excellent and not so excellent branches just like every other vets. 

For me, working long hours during the week, it's a godsend, they are literally shut for 3 days a year and if you're a registered client, you can book weekend and bank holiday appointments at normal rate...and as you've found out, even if you do have to be squeezed in as an emergency, it's not  as much as the out of hours! 

Hope your little fluffster perks up quickly x
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 04, 2014, 22:57:07 PM
I assume the itching was related to the scratch that vet found on his eye FB.  At least I hope so.  Vet tried to show it to me but I can't handle that kind of thing so turned away  :-[  Not much of a cat mum am I?  :-[

Thanks heavens for vets ........ esp cheap ones  :innocent:

One thing I was very surprised about today was that vet called out names of peeps twice and no one came forward  :-:  Assume peeps with appointments hadn't turned up and that was why I was seen so quickly.
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: fluffybunny on May 04, 2014, 23:01:00 PM
They wouldn't normally call out a name unless someone had been logged as having arrived I wouldn't have thought...sometimes it happened in the previous practice I was at because people arrived and were logged on the system, but then went wandering off round the shop  :rofl:

Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 05, 2014, 09:40:22 AM
Should've used the tannoy system  :evillaugh:  Blimey some people eh? 
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on May 05, 2014, 11:00:35 AM
So pleased that it was a good experience Rosella.  And good to know that you will use the whole of the fucithalmic gel  :evillaugh: :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Lyn (Slugsta) on May 05, 2014, 14:13:50 PM
Very glad to hear that Bob's eye is looking better. It's also really good to know that there are decent vets around that don't charge an arm and a leg!

I moved away from the midlands in 1981 so really don't know my way around any more. Like you, Rosella, I have zero sense of direction  :-[
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on May 06, 2014, 06:50:43 AM


Sending a little snoozle for Bob and his poorly eye this morning.  Hope its continuing to get better.   :hug:
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 06, 2014, 08:57:40 AM
Little *** darling  :innocent: started kicking it again  :(  Looked terrible last night so gave him another shot of metacam; very little left as also gave Dinah a shot as her cystitis is back  :tired:  Not as bad as last time thankfully and have ordered lots more cystophan.

Forgot to ask bargain vet to clip Bob's back claws on Sunday and comfy collar I got from our vet a while ago has deflated ....... assume there should be a pump for it as tried blowing into it and it does nothing.  Think I'd better order a new one Sheila.  Thanks for the link.  Anyway we have another vet app't at 9.50am with our usual vet.  Last available slot today  :phew:
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: pappilon on May 06, 2014, 09:27:57 AM
 Sending some gentle hugs for Bob, hope the vet visit goes well.

 Rosella your vet might have a pump for the collar, take it with you just in case :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 06, 2014, 09:31:17 AM
Cheers Pav  :)  It's in the basket and on the list .....
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on May 06, 2014, 11:55:26 AM
Hope all goes well at vets  :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 06, 2014, 12:29:38 PM
Have come away with more metacam and another larger comfy collar.  He had removed collar by the time I was driving home  :tired:  Think it's too big.  Back claws clipped.

I have however now found out how to reinflate the smaller comfy collar.  You have to slightly bite down on valve to open it up and then blow. 

Vet took pity on me and no consultation fee.  I mentioned Dinah's cystitis and that I had ordered some cystophan which vet confirmed good idea.  I'll also let her have some of Bob's Metacam. 

Onwards and upwards ....
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Lyn (Slugsta) on May 06, 2014, 13:59:06 PM
Glad to hear that the vet took pity on you! I do hope that both patients are soon back to full health.
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on May 06, 2014, 16:39:30 PM
What a lovely vet and ummmmmmmmm collars wiv problems lol. Hope Bobby improves quick  :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 07, 2014, 17:12:46 PM
Had to go back to vet this morning ........... as unable to open metacam bottle  :-:  Got a replacement.

Patient is fed up  :( but beginning to tolerate collar a bit better now
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on May 07, 2014, 17:41:53 PM


Aw, that eye does look like it's seen a bit of action, bless him.   :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Misa on May 07, 2014, 22:14:10 PM
Poor boy and hope he improves quickly
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on May 08, 2014, 07:16:17 AM


Just tiptoeing by to wish Bobby Bob Bob a good morning, and hoping that eye is feeling a lot more comfortable now. 
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: CarolM (Wendolene) on May 08, 2014, 09:19:01 AM
Sending lots if gentle snoozes for Bobby Bob and  :hug: for his ma.  Also snoozes for Dinah.
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 08, 2014, 09:24:21 AM
Thanks for good wishes for the boy  :thanks:

Vet said to expect it take a while to clear up.  Imagine eyes do take a while to heal due to them being wet?  Bob hates his collar so much.  It's sad  :(

Doesn't help that OH took his collar off yesterday and brought him into his office.  That would be fine if OH kept an eye on him but Bob was under his desk and no doubt scratching his eye.  I can talk though as I took his collar off for what was supposed to be an hour or so during the night but fell asleep  :-[  Other puds are a bit freaked out by the sight of Bob with collar for some reason.  Boris did a runner for the cat flap when I brought Bob down to lounge last night  :shocked:

Dinah seems OK  :shify:  :shify: thanks Carol
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on May 08, 2014, 15:03:42 PM
I think the wet helps the healing.............I hope so  :hug: :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Silly question re Metacam
Post by: Lyn (Slugsta) on May 08, 2014, 17:14:27 PM
Tears are naturally antiseptic, so they should be helping a little.
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 09, 2014, 09:25:27 AM
Have changed title of thread.  Have been wondering why on earth Bob's eye is not improving and found out last night.  He was still able to kick his eye with the small size comfy collar on!  He is such a lanky lad.

I have now put on the next size up collar having inflated it a bit more first.  This is the one he managed to remove within a minute of leaving vet's surgery but has stayed on overnight thank heavens. 

We are pretty well back to square one with his eye, in fact it's a bit worse than it was.  It looked horrible last night but already improved this morning.  He is very unhappy but at least he enjoys his grub.  I allowed him a 5 minute groom this morning but put collar back on the second he attempted to kick his eye again. 
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: Liz on May 09, 2014, 11:19:03 AM
I put Billie Jo's on and it stayed on for 6 weeks with no issues - don't take it off you can still get a finger in for scritches but they can't get a whole paw in

In hindsight best thing I did after the buster collar which she hated as she is a jumper to high places
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: pappilon on May 09, 2014, 16:03:49 PM
 Oh Rosella poor Bobby and you.
 Please dont laugh but there is eye patches for dogs out there do you think you could get one made for Bobby with pads so it would feel comfortable ? Sorry just an idea :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 09, 2014, 22:58:39 PM
Not laffin at all Pav  :hug: 

I think me laddo would look rather debonair with an eye patch but the collar is currently holding up and protecting his poorly eye atm  :thanks:  :hug:

Fingers crossed overnight ...
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: Liz on May 10, 2014, 07:30:06 AM
Hoping Bobby and his Mum had a better night x

I think I must do nasty evil Mummy all to well as mine now understand if Mummy says it it must be done unlike Daddy who is a push over :shocked:
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: Jiji on May 10, 2014, 08:17:06 AM
Hope Bobby's eye is improving, I know how worried you will be  :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Noodle had a bad eye about 3 years ago and I ended up with ointment and two different types of drops to give him as it was not clearing up.
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: sheilarose on May 10, 2014, 11:26:06 AM
Before we bought our comfy collar I made one for Theo to prevent him from picking his stitches when his cruciate ligament was healing. It consisted of a stretchy bootlace around which I rolled a piece of fake sheepskin and stitched it into a fat sausage. Once secured around his neck he was really comfy and it worked a treat. The pictures are so cute but on my old laptop  :doh:

I wondered if you cut the toe out of a pair of socks and pull them over the unbuckled collar it would help stop him pushing it over his head?

Also, is Optrex OK for cats? If so you could bathe his eye with that before his ointment to clean the surrounding area. It might help him feel more comfortable.

Sending big vibes for Bobby's poor eye, Dinah's cystitis and your poor frayed nerves.   :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 10, 2014, 12:38:28 PM
He seems to be settling with this one now thanks all  :thanks:  Good job as I am not a handy purrson Sheila.  I don't know about Optrex.  I am currently using cooled down boiled water to clean his eyes 2 or 3 times a day with cotton wool.

The smaller comfy collar worked fine preventing his mouth from reaching his body so it would have been OK in stopping him from trying to remove stitches etc.  He does however need a much wider one to prevent the claws on his back feet reaching his eye due to his long legs.  This  larger one does seem to be doing the job as he has stopped trying to get it off but it means his head is permanently held in an upright position which can't be that comfy for him.  I have booked him in for another vet trip on Monday morning so head chap can take a good look.

I know it doesn't look good but it is better than it was on Thursday night ....
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: sheilarose on May 10, 2014, 13:46:11 PM
Aww Bobby  :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2:
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: Susanne (urbantigers) on May 10, 2014, 13:47:03 PM
Aww bless him.  I hope that eye improves now that he can't reach it.
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: pappilon on May 10, 2014, 15:02:23 PM
 Aww , sending lots of healing vibes for gorgeous Bobby :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on May 10, 2014, 21:53:48 PM
And adding to them by the bucket load.   :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: Lyn (Slugsta) on May 11, 2014, 18:43:24 PM
Awwww, poor Bobby!  :hug:
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on May 12, 2014, 06:50:35 AM
Topping up the vibes for Bobby Bob Bob's poorly eye.   :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 12, 2014, 08:19:34 AM
What happened yesterday evening??????????????  I posted a video.  Oh yes I did!  I did honest I did  :shify:  Also my mobile went doo lally when I was on Purrs last night  :shify: :shify:

Mmmmmmmmmmm well lets try again eh  :shify:

I said summat about Bobbedy Bob takign his grooming frustrations out on Boris and how I love ma boys and also apologised to Allison as she can't get youtube at work ....... so here goes again...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SelJMotLxRA&list=UU_d2d9QW2NWdL2SUr5c86yA
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: Rosella moggy on May 12, 2014, 10:35:29 AM
Back from vet. 

Bob's eye still infected but not as bad as it was.  Will stop metacam and see if makes any difference.  Restart if nec.  Collected more fucithalmic.  Collar to stay on unless under close supervision. 

I asked if vet wanted a cat.  He said he has enough of a menagerie at home already.

 :sigh:  ;)
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: Dawn F on May 12, 2014, 10:50:50 AM
sorry to hear he isn't doing as well as you'd like, I can relate!
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on May 12, 2014, 12:30:09 PM

I asked if vet wanted a cat.  He said he has enough of a menagerie at home already.

 :sigh:  ;)

 :evillaugh:   Shameless hussy!  :hug:
Title: Re: Using comfy collars with eye problems .............
Post by: Sue P (Paddysmum) on May 12, 2014, 13:25:40 PM


Forgot to say, the video's lovely.  Bless Bob's lovely paws that poorly though he is, he makes sure Boris is nice and clean.   :Luv:  Anyone who gave it any other construction than that is a crazy lady.  :evillaugh: ;)