Metacam for arthritis

[PassMeTheBlanket]

Back from the vets with some Metacam for my elderly (approx. 16/17) cat's arthritis. Wondered if others had experiences with this? Is it effective enough? Obviously concerned about potential kidney issues.

Was also offered Solensia but opted, rightly or wrongly, to try the less expensive option first. Opinions on this method of treatment would also greatly appreciated!

Poor thing behaved impeccably but clearly stressed. Would prefer to keep vet trips to a minimum as he's obviously getting more panicked with every visit. (The one prior to this resulted in a bath there, as he'd somehow covered himself in motor oil!)

Thanks in advance!

It certainly helped my dog for a long time. We did add more meds eventually. I’d prioritise comfort over potential side effects at this age. Almost all ancient cats have kidney issues anyway?

Our now 20 year old DCat has has been on it for years. He's on quite a cocktail of various things now, for heart and kidney issues, but pootling around. He has his bloods checked every few months but is happy as anything.

Use it for my arthritic dog and it does seem to help. Worth asking your vet for the generic version, meloxicam, as it's much cheaper for long term use.

Harry was on it for the last couple of months of his life and he was like a different cat after one dose. It wasn't ideal as he had CKD but he couldn't carry on as he was. His vet told me we had to balance the risks, without it he couldn't walk and his quality of life was reducing.

My dog is on it, and she's not that old, but she had congenital elbow problems and needed corrective surgery as a pup, so we were always warned that she would need treating for arthritis, sooner rather than later. However, Hills Science Diet and a joint aid supplement, plus Metacam, give her a great quality of life. She's still chasing squirrels.

My cat hasn't needed it but my dog has been on it for a few years now and it does help. Am looking to start Librella soon though.

My elderly cat was on Solensia for 2 years - she was the Guinea pig for the injections for our vets after us trying metacam and gabapentin. I have to say, the effects were amazing. She went from being incredibly ill to going outside again, jumping up onto the kitchen counter and reasserting her dominance with the other animals! It’s definitely worth a look, and very easy to manage as it’s just one injection a month rather than twice daily meds.

research shows that the anti inflammatory effects of meta am actually support kidney function. There’s no reason not to use it

even if it did shorten his life - don’t you think it’s fairer for him to have a happy comfortable slightly shorter life rather than a longer painful one. ?

My dog is on the monthly Librealla injections, expensive but worth it imo.

All sounds quite positive!

I am of course more concerned about his quality of life rather than the longevity of it, at this point. If he suffers adverse effects then we'll cross that bridge if it comes to it.

We'll see how he gets on; first dose administered with his food and he's taken it well. Had a horrible feeling that he'd know we were giving him something and refuse (worming tablet experience!).

Nice to see a good Solensia review as well. Will definitely keep this in mind.

Thanks for all your input!