Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: caledonia on March 07, 2008, 00:03:46 AM
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One of my newly acquired rescue cats has a benin tumour on his nose/face which makes him snuffly and uncomoftable.
He has been on medication for the last four months which was hoped to shrink the tumour and it hasn't. Now I have taken them to register with my vet (they have been with me just over a week) and he explained the stuff they were on he doesn't really rate and that is really just a contraceptive drug used to stop queens going into heat but often used as a steroid. Now this was before I pointed it hadn't worked so i was hopeful at this point he might have a better idea :-:
Anyway he has given me a drug called Metacam to put in Edgar's food and I was all set to go but I have did a google search and whilst there are some vet comments raving about it - there are a couple of sites that seem to be dedicated to saying it is dangerous and kills cats or at very least gives them Kidney failure! :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:
So here in is the danger of the internet I suppose!!! I haven't ever really had to use medication with a cat so not sure if the horror sites exist for all drugs. I think this is quite a new drug and hmmm I am now in a bit of a tizzy!!
Anyone ever used or came accross conflicting info like this?
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Oh I should point out - a lot of the neagtive info is from 2005 and 2006 when this drug was not yet approved for cats and only for dogs!!! :shocked:
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I think Metcam is a painkiller, also peeps use it on their cats here.
Hope that helps till someone can tell you more. :)
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Metacam is now licensed for use in cats and is a very good non steroidal antinflammatory drug.
Providing your cat is healthy and doesnt have any of the pre existing conditions mentioned in the contra indications and you follow the correct dosage it is perfectly fine to be used :)
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i have used Metacam on a few different cats, before it was licenced for use in cats (I have used it since, but still had the dog Metacam), and 2 of the cats had bloods done after usage (just the routine ones I do, not cos the vet said) and they were all perfectly fine after it.
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Metacam does put a strain on kidneys as it is excreted through them - It has to be used with caution with cats with CRF. Nevertheless, my vet used it for Clapton after his last dental but was was careful not to give too much and he was fine. It should be fine for a cat with healthy kidneys.
I think it is a great drug and gives excellent pain relief.
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Thank you everyone you have really put my mind at ease!!!! :hug: :hug: :hug:
Edgar is fine with regards to his kidney functions etc and his bloods were did back in November when he went into Rescue and everything was fine. I have checked and double checked the dosage levels as what the vet had told me to give him was above what is stated as the initial dose on the leaflet - however the vet sites I checked last night all stated the same level that my vet has given (some were more) and they were all really praising the drug saying they find it is brilliant but the other sites made me panic.
Edgar is very good at taking water and I might give him a bit cat milk to top up his fluids just to ensure he is fully hydrated and give him his first dose tonight.
It is for the anti-inflamatory purposes the vet suggested as he didn't think he should be on steroids. I really hope it brings his nose down as it really affects his breathing and his sleeping having a near blocked nose with his tumour.
Anyway sorry I am rabling - but like I said - thanks a million everyone you have really put my mind at rest and this is one of the many reasons why I love this site!!! :hug:
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Dragan had raised kidney readings (not dangerously raised I must add) and he had metacam used with caution (ie not every day) and he was fine. It really helped him and gave him a lot of relief so that he was able to play again.
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I think id rather metacam than longterm steroids.
If it were me id think of it as a potential for some kidney damage but you get better results from his tumour and hopefully improve his quality of life :hug:
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Well thats his dose given tonight - doubel the first day then normal every day from now on. I really hope it inmproves his nose - the wee man gets hardly any sleep as it soons wakes him up - he snores louder than a man!! It affects his eating too - here is a wee pic so you can see his nose. Whilst it adds to his character it means he gets a streaming eye and the constant snuffles so even if it just came down a wee bit - well I think it would make him a lot happier!!
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Long term steroids unless the only thing that will help are not good, so a medication that is non-steroid is much better if it works.
I do hope that this will help your cat :hug:
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Just be aware that cat milk is a food and not a drink for cats, so might not help his fluid intake and you will have to watch his food if his weight is an issue.
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Just be aware that cat milk is a food and not a drink for cats, so might not help his fluid intake and you will have to watch his food if his weight is an issue.
His weight is an issue as he is under weight - 4.2 Kilos which for a Ragdoll is very small, although he is up to 4.3 now which is good. He is all bones so needs a bit fattening up :briggin:!
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Fair enough - i would still restrict how much he gets in case he gets addicted though!!