Meloxicam painkiller?

[RobotMenu]

Dcat was prescribed this to control the pain of infection. I've just read some scary stuff about Metacam and now I think they're the same?? Can anyone reassure me re kidney issues (I know there are vet and other knowledgeable people on here).

It's an anti-inflammatory - DDog is currently on it.

Just like anti-inflammatories in humans i.e. your Ibuprofens/Aspirin/Voltarol etc, they can have an effect on kidney function, but are very safe normally.

Fwiw, it worked for DDog who had a sore elbow - a week in to taking it he's no longer limping and tripodding.

Yes it says very clearly not to give to a dehydrated animal. I read it was ok for dogs, but not cats. It's late night panic time... I should sleep.

It's a non steroidal anti inflammatory painkiller, another brand name but the same as Metacam. With long term use, kidney function should be monitored through blood tests. Short term use is VERY common. Make sure you never exceed the correct dose. Oh and always give with food (although this is more to prevent an upset stomach).

You might be interested in Lone's post on this thread, Robot. It's an older thread but as far as I'm aware, the message is still current.

Happy to be corrected on that one - and Lone herself may see this thread and comment. She's generally pretty up on meds and latest research.

By the way - was the stuff you read American? There were a very few issues across there a while back, I think, because of dosage - and maybe something else I can't at this precise point remember - but I think it's long been overcome in the UK.

All the stuff I have previously posted is still currently, but backed up by a new study that followed cats who already had renal failure who were put on meloxicam. Their renal failure actually improved for a considerable period of time as they became more active and they had improved quality of life than the placebo group.

The advice now from the top cat vets in the UK is that meloxicam should be used even in cats with renal failure, but that it should be involve a discussion about how quality of life is the most important factor for these cats. There is about to be published a new pain scoring system for cats that high lights that the ways cats exhibit pain is very different to dogs and that we need to be very aware of this and medicate them properly.

Regarding the scary stuff, you will get this whatever the drug you type in to the Internet. It has been used off licence at a much higher dose in the US than here and that is the source of most of the stories.

Thanks for that, Lone.

mines had metacam with no side effects.

Thank you. I was googling how to know when to stop giving the painkiller - cats hide pain well, so don't want to stop too early and I couldn't get through to the vet until this morning, so I googled and came across horror stories!

Thank you for your voices of reason.