Any vets here? Metacam for 17 year old cat

[Fontainebleau007]

Any vets or anyone here with experience? My 17 year old cat has some signs of arthritis and has been prescribed Metacam. I know there's the possibility of it damaging the kidneys which was explained by our vet.

We have been told to try it and if she doesn't vomit, to book in for blood work etc otherwise we can opt for the monthly injections.

What's your advice for Metacam? Should I go for the monthly injections instead?

I'm so conflicted so wanted to get all the information I can before deciding what to do long term. Thank you.

Following with interest. Our 15 year old girl, who is also diabetics may need Metacam for arthritis too. She’s is great shape otherwise and I don’t want to send her down hill-she is still pretty mobile-up on tables and happy to go upstairs etc

Same here with my girl she's still jumping on the sofa, eating and drinking fine and I don't want to send her down hill either! Hopefully we can get some advice x

My cat got prescribed metacam (plus antibiotics) after a cut got infected but I didn't use it purely because my dog was on it and it caused blood in his stools. So I wouldn't use it unless absolutely necessary. Hope your cat is okay

Have you tried Solensia? My 16 year old cat is on it and it's working really well.

@Countrygirlxo Aw no that sounds horrible poor thing. Thank you, she's otherwise good and healthy in herself. She's been told to start it tomorrow morning, but I really don't know if I'm going to give it to her.

@SnapdragonToadflax is that oral or injection? I'm not sure what the injection they mentioned is called x

If she's got arthritis ask the vet about Solensia. Its given our 18 year old cat a new lease of life. It is expensive though £140 month. Hopefully you have insurance that cover it (it's monthly). Our boy's kidneys are ok but we keep a close watch and are very sparing with the Metacam.

@AgnesX ok thank you! You're the second person to say Solensia so I'll ring the vet and see what they say.

I have a 17 year old cat who has been taking Metacam and now Loxicom since they were 7 for arthritis. It is mixed into whatever flavour of food is being given for breakfast as even the vet couldn't administer it orally using the syringe! No kidney problems at all - just have an annual check now for weight, teeth etc. The drugs have made a huge difference to our cats quality of life (arthritis in all joints and part of the spine) and we only notice slight limping if it's very wet or cold (worse is both wet and cold together).

@SleepingisanArt Oh really? That's brilliant to hear there's been no issues with it, thank you.

My eight year old cat is arthritic and has been on daily Metacam since October. He's healthy and has regular blood tests to check for any issues.

He's so much happier.

My dear old boy was on Metacam for years for his arthritis - it changed his life and he became like a kitten again!

I'm surprised by the stories upthread.. I didn't think it was such a risky medication provided its given correctly?

I had two cats that ended up on loxicom for the last 5 years of their lives - they lived until 19 and 21 yrs.

We called cat meth as they would line up at the kitchen door to have it syringed into their open mouths every morning. Woe betide we were late with their fix!

We knew about the potential kidney issues but it was worth it to have them live pain free lives to the end.

Both have been gone 8 yrs now and I can still cry thinking about them - miss my girls so much

@ColinRobinsonsFart Aww thank you for sharing, it's so so hard losing a pet, they always have a special place in your heart. Sending you big hugs. 🌈 🐾 x

@sunsetsandboardwalks @SanFranBear thank you so so much, that's very reassuring to hear! I just want her to be happy and pain free as much as possible x

It's probably what they were referring to, as it's an injection. It's great stuff! We don't pay £140, I think it's £60 but we claim them on the insurance.

My cat is on steroids for an unknown and otherwise untreatable skin allergy, so Metacam on top of that isn't a great idea for him. However, I'm all for keeping older cats comfortable and healthy while they're here, rather than prolonging an uncomfortable existence.

@SnapdragonToadflax absolutely thank you! I will definitely ask about it. I want her to be as happy and pain free as much as possible for the time she has left with me 🩷 I've had her since I was 14 literally can't imagine her not being here x

The solensia injection is very good. The main reported side effect is an itchy skin reaction which happens in approx 1/20 cats. It will settle down eventually but it would not be advised to give further doses if this happened. Taking this into account, the safety profile is still better for solensia than metacam and no need for ongoing bloods.

Cost wise, the solensia is more expensive, you can ask your vet for a written prescription (you would need an appt and there is usually a prescription charge as well), order vials online and keep them in your own fridge, then pay a fee at the vets for a nurse to inject it. A lot of clients do still save money doing this even if it is more of a faff.

@Aerialpigeon that's great to know thank you so much x

Our senior cat started to show stiffness and discomfort in her joints last Winter. I happened to spot a thread on here recommending YuMove supplements, so thought we'd give it a go along with a heated mat as I didn't want to go down the medical route unless absolutely necessary (not least because cars and vets stress her to horrific levels of soiling and panting). It took a couple of weeks, but has made a huge difference to how she moves and jumps. She stopped using the mat (also a surprise winner in a cat who rejects any purpose-bought-for-them items as a matter of principle) once the temperature improved but we continued with the supplement and she continues to do well. It has made her fur really glossy too. We started with the senior version, but I was sceptical there was much to justify the price difference so we switched to the regular capsules with no noticeable change. If the colder weather brings a regression, I'll upgrade her back to the senior version. It is very palatable (fishy, I think?) - it is sprinkled on their food and DCat has always happily chonked it down with her meaty chunks, which is pretty good for an otherwise stubborn medicine-refuser.
This might be worth a try first if you are worried about the side effects of the painkillers?

@SparklesandRainbows honestly, it's changed his life and only costs us £24 a month.

I was personally very, very wary of going down the Solensia route as I've heard a huge number of horror stories 😔 even our vet seemed reluctant to give it although they did mention it as an option.

We have gabapentin as a back up in winter.

@SkankingWombat aw that's great to hear! I have tried YuMove for her but didn't see much of a difference unfortunately x

Ideally she'd have a blood test first to check her kidneys as at that age they are likely compromised. Saying that she needs pain relief so I'd just give her the meds, she's likely had arthritis for quite some time. Quality of life matters more than quantity when it comes to our pets, especially elderly ones.

She's been given a 3ml bottle and told to try it daily. If there's vomiting to stop, if not take her back in the next 2 weeks for blood tests.
She has regular check ups where I always have mentioned the possibility of arthritis and the vet has kept an eye, but this is the first time they've agreed to give any medication as she's declined slightly more so in the past month. It's so sad seeing them get old, just want her as safe and comfortable as possible x

@sunsetsandboardwalks Really? I guess I'll be doing alot a research this weekend. I did give her the Metacam this morning in her food x