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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Dog having adverse reaction to metacam. Anyone help me?

25 replies

blueskyinmarch · 20/08/2017 20:39

My 5yo labrador has an issue with her front right elbow (knee?) and was prescribed metacam on Friday. She had one dose on Friday and one on Saturday. This morning when we got up she had been sick. She has has diarrhoea several times today and was very sick again this evening. I plan to call the vet tomorrow. Should i still be feeding her or should i withhold food. Any other advice?

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 20/08/2017 22:33

Stop the metacam.

Just in case you haven't done already, don't give her any more.

Food, I usually skip a meal if they're actively still throwing up, but other people don't, so that's a use your own judgement kind of thing.

SirVixofVixHall · 20/08/2017 22:37

Some dogs do get sick from Metacam- why don't you call the OOH vet for advice? I would do that if she is still unwell now.

fannydaggerz · 20/08/2017 22:38

Plain rice and plain chicken for food. Small portion and agree with pp who said stop the metacam.

SparklingRaspberry · 20/08/2017 22:41

Stop giving the metacam

I personally would give small portions of food at a time. The problem with not giving anything, your dog will be more likely to bring up bile as the stomach will be empty.

SparklingRaspberry · 20/08/2017 22:41

I would also call the out of hours too

riviera01 · 20/08/2017 22:48

I second the rice and also the water it cooks in .

Cantbeatatryer · 20/08/2017 22:51

This happened to my dog last month. Do not give any more metacam. If he won't eat try and encourage him to drink water.

I had to feed my boy chicken and rice (he doesn't drink water) and added quite a bit of water and feed him small meals 3/4 times a day.

My dog was trying to poo and was just passing fresh blood. I was so worried about him. I took him to the vets as an emergency. I asked them to please put on his records never to have metacam again.

He is fine now. I was more annoyed that I wasn't told it could happen. Or made aware to keep an eye out for any possible adverse reaction. I did a quick google and it's not uncommon.

Hope he is feeling better soon.

Slippersandacuppa · 20/08/2017 23:00

Yep, my 11 year old had hemorrhaging ulcers from metacam - it was awful and our last dog had died from hemorrhagic gastroenteritis so it was a horrific time. We took her in as an emergency, they put her on a drip and it cleared up thank goodness. No more metacam and she was on chicken/rice for a while after I think. Hope yours feels better soon. I do think it needs to be made clear to owners as it's not an uncommon reaction.

Catzpyjamas · 20/08/2017 23:03

Another one saying please call out of hours vet for advice. Hope she recovers quickly.

Buttercunt · 20/08/2017 23:05

I would call OOH vet, reactions to painkillers can be serious, gastrointestinal or kidney related for example.

NotJustThreeSmallWords · 20/08/2017 23:23

Another to say to call OOH vet - my dog had an awful reaction to pain relief (not metacam but made me wary) and was kept in for 2 nights. They will also advise you what to feed - mine was left with such a sensitive tummy that is now on a prescription diet and even chicken is too rich. I was told that the best thing off-prescription to give him is venison.

CornflakeHomunculus · 20/08/2017 23:52

As everyone else has said, stops the meds immediately and give your vets (or the on call OOH vets) a ring just in case.

If she's interested in food I'd offer a very small amount of something really bland like boiled chicken or white fish and a bit of plain rice. As a previous poster said, adding a bit of the water the rice was cooked in can help get some extra fluids in.

Keep an eye out for any signs of dehydration (see here) as even otherwise healthy dogs can tip over into it surprisingly easily if they've had bad vomiting and diarrhoea.

One of mine had a similar reaction to it back when she was spayed and she recovered just fine with no lasting effects. She can't have NSAIDs at all but she's been through eye surgery and IVDD since then and we've had no issues managing her pain with other medications.

Original poster
blueskyinmarch · 21/08/2017 06:04

I didn't see these message last night and didn't do the vet. This morning she has has been sick and had diarrhoea all over the kitchen. Going to call vet right now.

OP posts:
Original poster
blueskyinmarch · 21/08/2017 06:14

Called the out of hours vet. They are based a good bit away from me so I probably wouldn't get there until 7.330 and my vet opens at 8.30. Would probably rather not transport a very sickly dog that distance. Will keep an eye on her and call my own vet when they open. I am very very worried.

OP posts:
Cantbeatatryer · 21/08/2017 16:52

Oh no bluesky I am sorry to hear that. How did you get on with the vets? I hope your both ok. Even though my boy was quite poorly he did pick up quite quickly. I was very worried about him though. He was given a paste (can't remember the name of it now) and that helped to settle his tummy.

NewBrian · 21/08/2017 19:58

This happened to my dog a few weeks ago, she was pooing blood. the vet gave her a different painkiller and it took 48 hours to completely stop the diarrhoea.

Original poster
blueskyinmarch · 21/08/2017 20:00

She got an anti emetic jab which stopped the D&V. She started to perk up this afternoon. She has only eaten a tiny amount of chicken and rice and she hasn't drunk a lot but she is weeing. Her tail is wagging again and she seems more relaxed now. Hopefully that is her on the mend. I was really worried about her.

OP posts:
Munchyseeds · 23/08/2017 21:19

Our dog reacted to metacam...made him sick and reading up on it reactions can be really nasty
Now has notes at vets not to give...has onsier instead if needed

Original poster
blueskyinmarch · 24/08/2017 09:58

Quick update. My dog is much better now. She is eating and drinking pretty much normally thank goodness. She is never taking Metacam ever again!

OP posts:
dannyboyle · 24/08/2017 10:17

Our black lab had a similar reaction to metacam as yours. 11 years old and front joint problems. Some dogs deal with drugs better than others sonyou may find problems with others as well. Just watch them carefully! . It has taken some time to find drugs that work for our lab.

tabulahrasa · 24/08/2017 13:55

Glad she's ok Smile

Some dogs (and people) just don't do well with NSAIDs.

My dog can't have them either (perforated ulcer, huge emergency operation) but there are other painkillers that are fine to have if it's an ongoing issue she's got.

Veterinari · 25/08/2017 10:42

There are lots of different types of NSAIDS - please do explore other options to ensure she's not in pain

Original poster
blueskyinmarch · 25/08/2017 11:46

She has another appointment next week when we can explore other options. We just needed to get her better again before trying anything else. I don't want her to be in pain. Her x rays have been sent for a further consultation as she may need at CT scan and possibly an operation.

OP posts:
Original poster
blueskyinmarch · 29/08/2017 10:10

I have been back to the vet and she has now been prescribed Previcox. Anyone used this medicine successfully with their dog? Any issues? I am a bit worried it will have the same effect as the Metacam.

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 29/08/2017 15:14

I know of people who have dogs that are fine on previcox but weren't with metacam if that's reassuring at all...

Mine doesn't have any NSAIDs because he was so ill that nobody is willing to try different ones, lol, so no firsthand experience.

If they were going to disagree though, it would be similar symptoms - you know what to watch for and while unpleasant for DDog... you also know it'll get better once they're stopped.

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