Adverse reaction to loxicom in old cat

[Slowdownsally]

My lovely old boy cat has arthritis and is struggling To jump and climb stairs. He's also FIV positive. Vet proscribed loxicom with the caveat that it may cause kidney issues, but given his age and health it was worth trying to alleviate his pain.

Sadly, since taking it he's been sick twice and has constipation, so I've stopped the loxicom.

Will take him back to the vet but dreading a conversation about what to do now.

It's so hard to tell how much pain he is in and he's still eating normally and has good fur, purring and cuddly.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to other things I can try to help him?

[Fluffycloudland77]

There was a thread a while ago about blue or green lipped mussel extract.

It got the thumbs up. Heat is Also meant to help, Cozies cat has an electric blanket to lie on.

[Slowdownsally]

Thanks I'll try and find that thread!

[cozietoesie]

Hi Slowdown

My old boy is on lactulose as well as Loxicom - for the last two+ years mixed in with his (wet) food. Sadly, the loxicom wasn't quite cutting it with the pain (he's now most elderly) so for the last few months his vet has also allowed him supplemental pain meds which have helped a lot to give him good quality of life. (I decide when to give them to him.) I wouldn't fancy giving him pain meds without the lactulose though - I think he needs that or he'd be constipated also.

No need to dread that conversation with the vet. There's probably still a lot you can try to help him out.

[Slowdownsally]

Thank you.

The vet told me that given the FIV, if he had an adverse reaction to the loxicom it might have damaged his kidney function, as he's potentially already got some kidney issues. So, I think he won't be able to take the loxicom anymore.

I found the mussel pill thread - that sounds like something I could try, so will check any known side effects with that.

I think it's the FIV that complicates matters as any illnesses can become acute given the weaker immune system.

I've had him such a long time now. Will be so sad if he's starting to go downhill.

[cozietoesie]

Poor old lad. I don't know about the FIV complications I'm afraid.

Before speaking to the vet, you might like to read this guidance - in particular the bit on Managing arthritis. I think that with my old boy (nearly 20 now) I go for some of the 'hard' meds as well as the environmental assists but to be honest, his condition has been worsening for so long and so gradually that I've adjusted our habits as much as he has.

As Fluffy said, he has his electric blanket left on during the day so that he can have luxurious snoozes fully stretched out on the bed so that he doesn't have to curl up if he's sore. (He's usually under the fleece throw.) I also groom him daily and do the tips of his claws for him most weeks because he's not really up to those any more. He's given his food and water upstairs unless he decides to come down because he 'dot and carries' a bit on the stairs now.

Just as well I work from home, eh?

You'll see that that guidance includes some named supplemental pain meds which can either be used to 'top up' loxicom which is already in use or to be used in their own right if loxicom isn't appropriate. Seniorboy is on one of those and it's really easy to administer at home. You might like to look into those on the net?

[Slowdownsally]

That's really useful - thank you.

He is definitely one for cosy warm spots (my bed!!) and he doesn't have to climb much to get up here either which is good. I think I might add a step by the side to make it a little easier too.

Good that there's a list of other NSAIDs that might be possible. I think he may have to have kidney function tests first.

FIV life span is typically half his age, so he's done exceedingly well thus far. Just hope I can keep him comfortable for awhile longer.

[cozietoesie]

Seniorboy's vet did full blood and urine workups before he was put on loxicom and thereafter every six months - until last time when I guess she reckoned that if he was going to be affected by it he would have been by then. (And also he's so elderly that there's probably no longer much point so she's judging him by weight and general condition now. Not that she's given up on the tussle of getting blood out of him - Oh No! (Shurely not.))

I think everyone's just concerned that he should have a good sunset time now. He's fading generally but he's still a happy boy who enjoys living - and that's what matters.

[Slowdownsally]

He sounds like a star cozie! And a very lucky boy.

Vet said there was little point in running bloods etc. prior to the loxicom as we already know his kidney function is impaired due to his FIV and age.

I think he's going to say let's look at some palliative measures and PTS if they don't give him better quality of life.

So mussel tablets, electric blankets and steps and slopes here we come!

Bless all old boys and girls. (Even when they lay a bed snoring all night!

[cozietoesie]

I love snoring and whuffling! (Try one of the supplemental pain meds as well though if the vet will permit it. Nothing like seeing an old boy sink gratefully into a pain-free snooze of an afternoon - and then wake up perky and refreshed afterwards. )

[tabulahrasa]

There are other painkillers apart from NSAIDs as well, my cat can't have them as she's in steroids...so she has Buprenorphine for her arthritis, we also tried tramadol but that was too strong for her.

It obviously doesn't do the anti-inflammatory bit, but it makes her more comfortable.

So even if he can't tolerate any NSAIDs there are still pain relief options.

[cozietoesie]

Yes, tabulah. I think the drugs mentioned at the bottom of that guidance are straight pain meds and not NSAIDs and they certainly have their uses. Seniorboy is now on both, judiciously, and they've improved his life enormously - I thought he'd given up back in April/May but it was just that he was sore and troubled by it. A little pain relief and he's a happier boy all round.

[tabulahrasa]

I didn't read the link, lol...

It's my Siamese that can't have NSAIDs, neither can my dog (they very nearly killed him) so it was more just a - even if they can't have them at all, there's other stuff post :)

[micah]

My elderly cat has severe arthritis in his elbows. He can't have NSAIDs due to other health problems.

Vet suggested a course of pentosan - it's one injection every week for 4 weeks, then a top up every 3-6 months. We were warned it's most effective at the beginning stages, as it mainly prevents deterioration, so it may not work.

However there aren't really any significant or dangerous side effects, and we were in for B12 injections anyway.

It made a really big difference to his quality of life. He moves easier, doesn't limp so much, and doesn't sleep in his weird "arms straight" position any more. It worked really well for us. Many vets are recommending it as standard now as if it works, great, if not, no harm done.

[micah]

some nice info here;

www.greencrossvet.com.au/Pet_Care_Information/Article-123/ARTHRITIS-AND-THE-USE-OF-PENTOSAN-INJECTIONS.aspx

[Slowdownsally]

Thank you so much everyone!

We're back to the vets at the end of the week so I will ask about a few of these options and see what he says.

Old boy is currently having a mad kitten like half hour roaring about the lounge - no idea where this sudden spurt of energy has come from but it's lovely to see! Might get him a ball of tin foil if he's feeling playful!

[Lonecatwithkitten]

ZOOMBIE THREAD.