Another One of My Cat Questions - Metacam

[bitohoney]

My 6 month old cat, Minnie, was just spayed Wednesday. The vet gave me Metacam (an NSAID). There are 4 doses and I gave her a dose Wednesday when she got home. The rest of the doses are to be given every other day. Her 2nd dose I gave today.
I've been researching Metacam and some of the stuff scares me! I know there's risks with every medication but this cat is like my child. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to her.
I was so concerned that I called the vet and she said it's risky for long term use but I'm still in a panic (as usual ) because I gave her 2 doses so far. I don't think I'm going to give her anymore.
Has anyone been given Metacam for after-sugery pain control successfully?

 

[NonScents]

Is your kitty acting differently in some way that is making you concerned? If so, call your vet back to discuss.

Just wondering, do you see a feline-exclusive vet? If not, you may want to consider that. Some "mixed" vets are not as knowledgeable about cats as they are dogs, or may treat cats the same way as a 10# dog.
(Some, not all, I know some fine vets who treat both.)

I'm not a vet, but have worked in feline exclusive vet hospitals for 6 years. Our vets did use Metacam, but there are definitely better pain relievers for cats. Doseage for cats can be tricky, as it is formulated for dogs. I don't remember any oral pain medication that lasts for 48 hours, so not sure about the every other day dose.

If you trusted your vet to do surgery, I would trust her to prescribe medications. She was honest with you that she would not rec. it long term. Many meds are used this way. Many meds (human and vet) have warnings of dire side effects, because it would be impossible to do adequate studies to rule out every scenario.

Animals in pain do not heal as quickly as those which are pain-free; your vet is to be commended for recognizing the need for pain meds even in a "routine" procedure. I doubt anyone would go without pain relief after an ovariohysterectomy, which is what a spay is.

 

[bitohoney]

I am concerned about her lack of energy today. She's just laying around sleeping. But...then again, it is only 2 days after her sugery, and I'm sure she's sore. I do wish she'd be her normal playful self again. The vet said it's normal, though, I don't remember my other 2 cats feeling that way.
She is eating fine, just really tired.

 

[NonScents]

I am concerned about her lack of energy today. She's just laying around sleeping. But...then again, it is only 2 days after her sugery, and I'm sure she's sore. I do wish she'd be her normal playful self again. The vet said it's normal, though, I don't remember my other 2 cats feeling that way.
She is eating fine, just really tired.

Eating = Good!

If she's in pain she may stop eating, and as long as the vet said to give it another day or two, I would.

Could also be that anesthesia affected her a little more than your other cats in the past; some cats/people recover immediately like nothing happened and other cats/people take longer to process it out of their system.

I understand your concerns, though; I get so paranoid about the tiniest things with my cats sometimes, even though I should know better!

 

[MichelleVW]

I am concerned about her lack of energy today. She's just laying around sleeping. But...then again, it is only 2 days after her sugery, and I'm sure she's sore. I do wish she'd be her normal playful self again. The vet said it's normal, though, I don't remember my other 2 cats feeling that way.
She is eating fine, just really tired.

They are supposed to be kept quiet and still after surgery, so she's doing what she is supposed to be doing. I never gave my cats pain meds after bringing them home, I figured I didn't want to mask their symptoms that told them that they needed to be kept quiet.

 

[alliecats]

I am sure your cat is fine. But JUST MY NON-VET OPINION, I also do not like that drug and would not give it to any of my cats. Too much evidence stacked up about the harm it causes. If she seems to be in pain I would just ask for something else. I'm sure she's fine, just resting and recharging. But I agree with your concern.

 

[bitohoney]

3 hours after giving her the dose of Metacam last night, my sweet Minnie is back to herself! I'm not giving her the last 2 doses and I'm so happy she feels better!

 

[horseshowmom]

3 hours after giving her the dose of Metacam last night, my sweet Minnie is back to herself! I'm not giving her the last 2 doses and I'm so happy she feels better!

I think she'll be fine without the Metacam (JMHO). I've had a lot of animals spayed or neutered. I don't recall ever having one that was given pain meds. They have all bounced back very quickly (although the adults usually take a little longer, of course).

Living way out here in the country, we're subject to a lot of abandoned animals. I came home from Orlando last week to a new kitten (also about 6 months old). Apparently, his two siblings were run over and killed after they had been put out along the road. Fortunately, he made it to my house where he was safe.

If only more people would spay or neuter their pets. Thank you for spaying yours!

 

[LindaG4458]

My Pomeranian puppy was also spayed last week and was given only three doses of Metacam. She was drowsy the first day, a bit subdued the second day, and we wish she was a little subdued now, less than a week later. It hasn't seemed to bother her at all. We haven't allowed her to play with the neighbor Pom because we are concerned about her overdoing the play stuff. They are pining for each other.

We had an elderly cocker spaniel who had very arthritic hips and spine. He took Metacam daily and it made his life so much easier. He would have had to be put down at least a year sooner without those meds. Because of him we were not concerned about her taking three doses.

 

[Denine]

I remember the same concerns about that drug for my kitty. But, he was getting it at the end of his life to keep him free of pain. That is different than surgical pain in a kitten.
Glad your kitty is feeling better!