Lab had awful reaction to Metacam

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Hi all,

our 7 year old Lab started limping. We took him to the vets, who booked in for an X-Ray, joint taps and blood tests, turned out he’s had arthritis for a while and was having a flare up.

He was given Metacam to take home.
We gave it on top of his food as directed. He is 30kg so the amount equating to that weight. Within 36 hours, he was lethargic and not eating at all, by the next day, he was pouring with blood-red diarrhoea that was leaking out of him.

Long story short, he had an awful reaction to the Metacam, it’s caused awful problems with his gut,, was was admitted for 5 nights, intravenous medication, catheter in his bum, fluids, etc, still bloody, red, liquid diarrhoea for days. The vet did scans, blood tests, etc, nothing else looking like the cause.

he’s home now. Able to hold his diarohea which is improving and importantly, no blood. He’s still on antibiotics, probiotics to firm up poo, and paracetamol.

getting his appetite back slowly. Sleeping most of the time, no walks.

we have a follow up with the vets in a few days. He’s not limping anymore.

before this limping episode we had no idea he had arthritis. He’s only 7.

anyone got experience of medication that might suit a lab? obviously not an NSAID - we honestly thought we might lose him at one point.

Hi OP. My Lab has a monthly injection called Librella. My vet recommended it as it’s much easier on the organs than the oral medication. It makes a massive difference to his arthritis.

Thank you @afaloren - does your vet prescribe it?

Metacam really upsets my cat too, not as bad as your poor dog but really makes him feel sick.

I’m sorry to hear that, @LoafofSellotape

i feel bad that I didn’t question it from the vets. He’s our first dog so I just went with it. I will question and research everything in future.

My lab had a similar reaction earlier this year to it too, such a worrying time seeing them so ill, although it sounds like your pup has had it more severely. Mine was lethargic, pooing that weird bloody jelly and off all food. Probiotics, Buscopan and something else (can’t remember) helped but it took a few days.

He also has arthritis so has been on Librella for a year as well as hydrotherapy and laser therapy. We try to swim with him where we can rather than our old long walks, also try not to let him jump on the bed (he’ll be lifted on and off now) and we are have an estate rather than SUV which helps. They won’t tell you when they’re in pain nor understand you’re trying to be careful with them.

Give him a cuddle from me, poor lad.

Thank you, @EverythingIsComputer - i appreciate that.

I’m sorry your dog had a rough time too.

We are going to get a ramp for our bed - dog loves to take a running jump onto it. The vet has hydrotherapy so we will do that too. Our nearest doggy swimming pool has recently closed so I will be looking for an alternative.

We have to take him every month and the nurse does the injections. Do ask about it; it’s been life changing for our Lab and he’s 9 now. I’m so sorry your poor boy has had such a rough time!

Thank you @afaloren - I’m so glad your boy has benefited from it.

a friend has also just messaged me to recommend Librela - I will make sure I raise it with the vet at our appointment.

Half tempted to look into opening one myself, there’s only one close to me and it’s £££!

One other point, our vet trained us to administer the Librella, we get the prescription from them, order it online and so don’t have to go in each month

My dog has a chronic stomach condition and any derivative of metacam (there are a few names) sets him off and he is so unwell that I have watched his stomach contract and him cry 😢 out in pain but it is now logged on his notes and every time a new vet mentions pain relief I tell them about it.

But as other people have mentioned librella can be good for arthritis. Expensive but we have had no side effects from it.

There's definitely other options, speak to your vet when your dogs recovered. My dog can't have NSAIDs and his severe arthritis is well-managed with other types of painkiller. I hope your boy continues to recover well, bless him, and you, that must've been scary.

Thank you @noctilucentcloud - it was very scary. So lovely to have him home.

im glad your dog has his arthritis under control 💕

Your poor dog.

Mine is wild on metacam - pacing, restless... i stopped it within 48hrs. God knows what its doing to them

Please research Librella side effects before going ahead.
My mum's dog had a vestibular attack within a short time of having Librella, which is not uncommon. Other dogs I know have done very well on it.

My lab cannot tolerate metacam. She is on Galliprant , which is an NSAID but works on receptors in a different way and does not have the same gastro-effects. She is 9.

My old boy, who we lost aged 14, was on a cocktail of arthritis meds which included Librella, which he was on for about 3 years. It was newly on the market when we started.
The thing about Librella is that it masks pain, but does nothing for the inflammation , so you do have to manage your dog’s activity. There are also possible side effects including hind leg weakness which my dog suffered from.

When discussing treatment options for my girl, the vet & I decided that Librella was not first-line drug for her at 9, as she is otherwise very healthy.

Hope your boy is feeling better soon. It’s awful when they are not well.

Mine has been having Librella injections. She can go about 6/7 weeks in between each one. They make such a difference for her.

I can claim most of the cost back through our insurance - we have to pay 20% due to her age (nearly 13).

My 9 year old has Gabapentin and Paracetamol for arthritis pain.
I used to have a dog that couldn't have Metacam as he had gastric issues. He had Galliprant instead.

I'm sorry your poor pet isn't well, its heartbreaking when you know they aren't well. I can't help re the medication as I've had quite a few on NSAID's over the years and thankfully they responded well (three different dobermann with arthritis/injuries) but I would recommend finding someone with milk kefir grains and starting to make some for your dog. I started mine on it as soon as they needed any medication and found it really helped keep their stomach well. They weighed between 36 and 40kg but I started them on a teaspoon daily and worked up slowly once I was confident they'd no side effects, they absolutely loved it and would appear as soon as they heard the fridge door opening. I take it myself and miss it within a few days if I stop. It's extremely easy to make and the only cost is the milk, I used skimmed for the dogs and whole milk for myself. I hope he feels better soon.

There’s a brilliant website Canine Arthritis Matters, lots of information and support. If you’re on FB, join Hollys Army.

Sorry your boy has been so poorly xx

Can you look at supportive supplements like riaflex too besides what the vet can do. My gsd is nearly 7 and she has riaflex and paracetamol and this keeps her ticking over. She plays hard and it's caused stiffness already.

There are questions about Librellas safety, maybe check out the latest studies or join one of the canine arthritis pages on Facebook before you make a decision? They have a lot of useful information about arthritis in general too

Mine is on similar to @Esssa. Riaflex supplements, GLM from Ace Canine and Pardale V when I think she needs it.
Her digestive system can't cope with nsaids but she is ok on Pardale.
Librela did nothing for her.

Sorry for your experience, sounds awful, and hope you find a solution for your dog.

Thank you so much everyone, you’re all so kind.

i will look at the Facebook page, and do my research.

thanks so much again 💕

My dog (15yo so general old age stuff) is on onsior and librela. I vaguely recall onsior being kinder on the digestive system than metacam although he's been on it for years so memory may be hazy! He's been like a new dog on librela too (although with that has come naughtiness - food stealing etc. Because he can jump up on things he couldn't before!!)

This isnt an uncommon reaction to metacam so your vets will definitely have alternative options up their sleeve. Have a look at Yumove Advanced or whatever its called these days as a supplement too.

Ours had exactly the same problem a few years ago! It was absolutely awful, even after only one dose. He ended up being kept in the vets for a few days as he was so ill. I honestly thought he was going to die as he was bleeding so much. He's been put on gabapentin instead and that has made a massive difference