Metcam for Cats?

[SEABREEZE 1957]

Stomatitis - Anyone with Experience? Took my poor cat to the vet yesterday and he had 12 teeth removed and part of his tongue. He is one hurting unit right now.

I am so concerned for him & I'm freaked about how quickly the syptoms seemed to appear. Before anyone goes off on me, he was a stray that I took in & has been very healthy up until this past weekend.

The vet prescribed .3cc Metcam for pain via oral injection. I did some research this morning & have read conflicting reports about this drug for cats. It's a NSAI (non-steriod anti-inflammatory) drug to be used for pain.

 

[Mousebaby]

I have used it with several of my cats and have never had any problems. It's better than being in pain! :shrug:

 

[denisend]

Oh, wow, I'm so sorry. Hunter has it, but no where near as bad as your cat - he has a REALLY mild case. He does pretty well with oral care dry foods (big chunks) and occasional dose of liquid antirobe.

Still, we're gradually pulling his teeth out. After comparing his gums where he has no teeth to where he has teeth, and considering how much he likes his current Wellness wet food, I'm highly considering just having all of his teeth out.

What kind of symptoms did he have and how quickly did they appear? Since he was a stray, had you been checking him, or was he not allowing it (so you didn't notice it).

One thing that's helped with Hunter is massaging his gums - he lets us do it when he comes up for affection. We don't try to peel his lips back or anything, just do it right on top of his cheeks. He tolerates it and it seems to help... plus doing it regularly got him used to us messing with his mouth (eventually!).

*hugs*

(Sorry, thought you were asking for stomatitis experience - I don't have any experience with that particular drug, since Hunter's case is so mild; I guess what I'm trying to say is don't feel bad about having his teeth and such out; even with a mild case that happens eventually and you don't sound like you had a mild case)

Denise

 

[SEABREEZE 1957]

Oh, wow, I'm so sorry. Hunter has it, but no where near as bad as your cat - he has a REALLY mild case. He does pretty well with oral care dry foods (big chunks) and occasional dose of liquid antirobe.

Still, we're gradually pulling his teeth out. After comparing his gums where he has no teeth to where he has teeth, and considering how much he likes his current Wellness wet food, I'm highly considering just having all of his teeth out.

What kind of symptoms did he have and how quickly did they appear? Since he was a stray, had you been checking him, or was he not allowing it (so you didn't notice it).

One thing that's helped with Hunter is massaging his gums - he lets us do it when he comes up for affection. We don't try to peel his lips back or anything, just do it right on top of his cheeks. He tolerates it and it seems to help... plus doing it regularly got him used to us messing with his mouth (eventually!).

*hugs*

(Sorry, thought you were asking for stomatitis experience - I don't have any experience with that particular drug, since Hunter's case is so mild; I guess what I'm trying to say is don't feel bad about having his teeth and such out; even with a mild case that happens eventually and you don't sound like you had a mild case)

Denise

Thanks Denise. Yes he is a stray I took in, he hangs out on the back patio & yard during the day & in the garage with his 'condo' set up at night. (i.e. a couch, chair, litter box, food, perches etc.)

It happened within a period of 3-4 days, however, I had no reason to suspect anything was wrong or check his mouth prior. He has always had a very healthy appetite, excellent disposition & no bad breath. Friday night he wasn't eating like he normally does and was coughing a little. Thought he had a cat cold. Saturday, he still wasn't eating normal, in fact less than Friday and didn't seem to want water. Sunday he was becoming lethargic, trying to 'hide' (I knew then that there was something seriously wrong).

So I really started to examine him and he was salivating more than normal...kept an eye on him all day & he seemed to be getting worse. Not wanting food, water, and just laying there. Sunday evening, he was really salivating and that's when the smell was very noticeable...later Sunday evening, pus was just coming out of his mouth. I called the vet 1st thing Monday AM & took him in immediately. He spent the entire day there. He had 12 teeth removed & a portion of his tongue, and gums.

Today, he actually ate some baby food & was affectionate and loving as ever. His appetite has returned, but I'm sure it will be a few days before his pain goes away. I did give him the oral dosage of Metcam as instructed with no adverse effects. I certainly don't want him in anymore pain.

He's currently laying on his electric blanket sleeping soundly.

I was only wondering if anyone had any negative experiences with this drug based on some internet research. I trust the vet, but personal experiences are always good to know.

It was the strangest & one of the worst things I've ever seen happen to a cat.

 

[tiltedangel]

Stomatitis - Anyone with Experience? Took my poor cat to the vet yesterday and he had 12 teeth removed and part of his tongue. He is one hurting unit right now.

I am so concerned for him & I'm freaked about how quickly the syptoms seemed to appear. Before anyone goes off on me, he was a stray that I took in & has been very healthy up until this past weekend.

The vet prescribed .3cc Metcam for pain via oral injection. I did some research this morning & have read conflicting reports about this drug for cats. It's a NSAI (non-steriod anti-inflammatory) drug to be used for pain.

you are spelling it wrong it is metacam...and it works like a charm...it did on my old cats tooth when it hurt....

 

[denisend]

The vet prescribed .3cc Metcam for pain via oral injection. I did some research this morning & have read conflicting reports about this drug for cats. It's a NSAI (non-steriod anti-inflammatory) drug to be used for pain.

Seabreeze,

I just got my copy of Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook last night and remembered your question, so I looked it up. According to this book, Metacam seems to be okay as long as it's not used repeatedly. In fact, it states specifically that "single doses appear relatively safe" (ah, medspeak!). How many doses do you have?

Denise

 

[denisend]

Seabreeze,

Wow, that's crazy. There's some research I've read that some foods can aggravate it, so perhaps he ate something he was allergic to or something. Just no way to know if he's an outdoor cat.

Not wanting water is a bad sign in these cats, too, since the water helps 'wash' out the bacteria or whatnot that they're sensitive to. I sometimes think that that's part of Hunter's problem - he doesn't like to drink water (even with fountains and such). So, when your cat stopped drinking, that probably escalated the problem pretty quickly.

The amazing thing is that even after losing so many teeth many of them still go on to eat dry food. We're about to adopt a 15 year old with no teeth who eats a mixed diet of wet and dry. I was stunned to hear that!

Sounds like (from what you've said and what I read about the drug in my book) that giving him the drug was the right thing to do. He'll heal faster if he can sleep, and that's easier to do if he's not in pain. *hugs* Good luck!

Denise

Thanks Denise. Yes he is a stray I took in, he hangs out on the back patio & yard during the day & in the garage with his 'condo' set up at night. (i.e. a couch, chair, litter box, food, perches etc.)

It happened within a period of 3-4 days, however, I had no reason to suspect anything was wrong or check his mouth prior. He has always had a very healthy appetite, excellent disposition & no bad breath. Friday night he wasn't eating like he normally does and was coughing a little. Thought he had a cat cold. Saturday, he still wasn't eating normal, in fact less than Friday and didn't seem to want water. Sunday he was becoming lethargic, trying to 'hide' (I knew then that there was something seriously wrong).

So I really started to examine him and he was salivating more than normal...kept an eye on him all day & he seemed to be getting worse. Not wanting food, water, and just laying there. Sunday evening, he was really salivating and that's when the smell was very noticeable...later Sunday evening, pus was just coming out of his mouth. I called the vet 1st thing Monday AM & took him in immediately. He spent the entire day there. He had 12 teeth removed & a portion of his tongue, and gums.

Today, he actually ate some baby food & was affectionate and loving as ever. His appetite has returned, but I'm sure it will be a few days before his pain goes away. I did give him the oral dosage of Metcam as instructed with no adverse effects. I certainly don't want him in anymore pain.

He's currently laying on his electric blanket sleeping soundly.

I was only wondering if anyone had any negative experiences with this drug based on some internet research. I trust the vet, but personal experiences are always good to know.

It was the strangest & one of the worst things I've ever seen happen to a cat.

 

[SEABREEZE 1957]

you are spelling it wrong it is metacam...and it works like a charm...it did on my old cats tooth when it hurt....

You are correct.

I must have been subconsiously thinking of another pain related subject that's similar- METCOM....​

 

[SEABREEZE 1957]

Seabreeze,

I just got my copy of Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook last night and remembered your question, so I looked it up. According to this book, Metacam seems to be okay as long as it's not used repeatedly. In fact, it states specifically that "single doses appear relatively safe" (ah, medspeak!). How many doses do you have?

Denise

Densie, 1st - Thank you for all your help! It helps to talk to someone about this.

He got .6cc prior to the surgery and three individual .3cc dosages to be given Tues-Thurs. This morning will be the second dose I've given him. He seems to be doing much better. I can't imagine what he's going through, but I'm trying to keep him as comfortable as I can.

In fact last night, my other cat (Big Ralph Red) wanted his dry food & Bandit 'heard' the food being put into the bowl. He wanted his dry food so bad, but I know it's too early for that.

Bandit was being so persistant, so I mixed a tablespoon of dry into about 3 tablespoons of wet food, let it soften up a bit & he scarffed it down. I kept an eye on him afterwards and he seemed to have no problem eating it.

Keeping my hopes up that all will be good. He has a follow up appointment next Tuesday.​

 

[SEABREEZE 1957]

Stomatitis, thank God I've never heard of it. Both of my cat-people are inside only. Both have been very healthy their whole lives. What is this Stomatitis and how do cats get it?

I'm so sorry that your poor cats have experienced it. It sounds like a living hell for them.

Thanks NGM; actually only one, Bandit, has experienced it. I'm not 100% sure, but according to the vet & research on line, it's an immune disorder where a cat is 'allergic' to the tartar on their teeth. I posted a few links at the beginning of the thread if you want to read more. From my discussions with the vet, It doesn't matter if they are indoor only cats, any cat can develop it.

Heck, I've had one tooth pulled and that was hell for me, I can't imagine 12 teeth.
​

 

[denisend]

Stomatitis, thank God I've never heard of it. Both of my cat-people are inside only. Both have been very healthy their whole lives. What is this Stomatitis and how do cats get it?

I'm so sorry that your poor cats have experienced it. It sounds like a living hell for them.

No one really seems quite sure. Hunter is indoor only as well (and has been all of his life), but he has it. There's a variety of things that you can do once they have it, and it seems to affect older cats (Hunter is unusual to have it so young), but I don't know any way to prevent it besides general health prevention.

Since it's an immune disorder, there's always the organic/holistic route to try, but no proof that that works.

Denise

 

[SEABREEZE 1957]

Bandit is starting to act like his normal self again.

Still not 100%, nor would I expect him to be. He is really hungry & is eating well (soft cat food, doesn't want the baby food anymore). He REALLY wants his dry food, so as I said before, I'm putting a small amount (1 TBSP) of dry food & mixing it with the wet. He is tolerating it well. He has also been drinking water in his normal manner.

He is super affectionate, following me around and is not in any noticeable pain.

He has one more .3cc oral dose of Metacam for tomorrow AM. Friday AM should be the approximate time frame the pain medicine would begin to wear off, so I'll keep an eye on him for any change in behavior.

Thought I'd post a picture of him 'before' taken in Aug 08. I'll get a picture of him 'after' later tonight and post that later.

Thanks for all the support, it's greatly appreciated.
​

 

[denisend]

Seabreeze - Glad to hear that he's doing well! Be sure to keep us up to date!

I wouldn't be surprised if he 'regressed' a bit when he went off the pain meds, but call the vet if it's worrysome.

Glad I can be here for you; I know how stressful it can be when our furkids are sick! He's a cutie!

Denise

 

[SEABREEZE 1957]

Bandit is doing well, he went outside and sat on the deck today. He really enjoyed the warmth of the sunshine & the fresh air.
He's eating more, and getting back into the groove, although he can't quite figure out why he can't have dry food and can't figure out what the heck is different about his mouth. He is gaining back some of the weight he lost, and using the litter box normally. ​

His attitude is great and he's happy & content from my observations.
​

Here's some pictures of him after 3 days of his ordeal.​