Why do vets presrcibed Metacam to cats (& MY cat) when it's fatal to so many with our knowledge?!?

Question

Please help me. My cat is my baby. I've had her for 13 years.

She had a torn ligamant in her knee. The vet told us to give her Metacam, so we did. Come to find out that it could be putting her into renal failure (a fatal condition).

She is now hooked up to an IV in the animal hospital.

After looking online I found out that Metacam is NOT EVEN LICENCED by the maufacturer to be given to cats (only dogs), and is frequently fatal with cats.

I'm filled with grief that this could have been prevented. I am angry at myself for not doing research before I gacve it to her, and I am SO angry with my vet.

Will my cat be ok? Has any one else had this issue?

Answer 1

Listen to me carefully - if your doctor gave you a tablet to take to alleviate your pain or whatever you'd take it wouldn't you? Course you would, you wouldn't research the bloody thing before you swallowed it, you trust your doctor to do the best for you and your health? This is NOT your fault - you can, should things go bad, sue your vet for malpractice. To give an unlicensed drug here in the UK is against the law and we have the powers to sue. However, thats not going to save your poor cat from suffering whats she suffering and i honestly can't tell you anything about Metacam because i've never heard of it but you do have recompense - sue the **** off your vet, close him down and prevent others from using the drug. She's in danger because of her age and what the drug is doing to her insides but - the best thing is - she's getting the right and proper treatment, she's not in pain and is not suffering. Leave her in the vets until they say she can come home, give her lots of treats and loads of love and then sue the **** off of that idiot - too many young vets these days are in their job for the money - its not right and its not fair! I'll pray for her quick recovery, as will all who read this posting, God Bless.

Answer 2

I have heard of metacam causing cats to be ill (not eating, etc.). I do not personally know of cats dying from it, but I do know that it is potentially dangerous and even fatal. I think the reason that vets use it is that there are not many pain killers that are safe for cats. Cats do not metabolize painkillers the way in which humans and dogs do. Metacam can be given as a 1-time injection, or orally, but it has to be given in restricted amounts. I would be afraid to use it on my cats after what I have read. I will have to do more research to see if I can find a safer pain medication for cats. Metacam is routinely injected during spay/neuter in trap/neuter/return cats. That's how I first heard of it. I trapped a feral tomcat and had him neutered, and the itemized bill showed a metacam injection, so I began doing some research.



One of my 12 year old cats tore her ACL in her back left knee several months ago. My vet examined her and referred her to an orthopedic specialist. No painkillers were prescribed, although my vet is very consciencious regarding pain management. Neither the vet not the surgeon thought that she was in pain. They advised against surgery and my cat is doing very well! She runs and plays.



I hope your cat recovers! Please post an update. I am worried. Discuss your concerns with your vet, and don't hesitate to tell him/her what your research has revealed and question the vet.

Answer 3

Depends on the form and where you live. Injectable metacam IS labeled for use in cats in the US, and both the injectable and oral are labeled for cats overseas. it is NOT "frequently fatal", we use it on every surgery and send it home for postoperative pain as well. Knock on wood, so far the worst reaction we have encountered is upset stomach. It is more risky to use it for an extended period of time, we still have used it this way but we do explain to the owners that long-term use of Metacam can cause kidney issues. Adverse medication reactions happen unfortunately, and I am sorry this happened to your cat. I know you are angry, and probably frightened, but what happened to her is not common, please try to understand your vet's point of view. He did not want your cat to suffer, and I am sure he feels terrible too. There are very few options available to treat cats for pain, Metacam is the only non-steroidal anti-inflammatory cats can take. Steroids can treat inflammation and pain, but they also interfere with healing, so if surgery is a possibility that is not a good choice. Cats do handle opioids well (narcotics), but they cause a lot of sedation and GI side-effects like constipation. They also don't do a thing for inflammation or swelling. It's not easy to control pain in cats, they are such unique creatures that there just aren't many options for them.

Answer 4

I am sorry I can't tell you what the prognosis for your cat will be. It is certainly tragic for a cat to be "poisoned" by her vet.



If people are interested in learning something about it they can go to: http://www.persiancats.org If you go almost down to the bottom on the left you will find the subject "Medical Alerts". That tells of the orginal results from the FDA study on metacam use with cats. A very large percentage of cats in the study died from kidney damage. Still the FDA has now "approved" it for use with cats. Knowledgeable vets are limiting it to ONE injection following surgery - nothing on a long-term basis.



There is another site: http://www.metacamkills.com created by a man whose cat died from it.



So if a vet suggests you use it, just pass on it and say I want some other painkiller.



Metacam is a NDAIS - just like aspirin and many of the over-the-counter medications we ALWAYS warn people here to NEVER use.

Answer 5

??? there are different types of metacam..specifically for cats or dogs..who told you it is not licensed for cats?? i have a bottle of CAT metcam in my cupboard. it can be harmful on the kidneys but only if they are already suceptible to renal problems, your vet should have checked this first but there is definitely metacam

for cats, i hope they havent administered the dog strength, please let me know how your cat is doing

as there is no metcam for rabbits i have had to use cat metacam for about a year with one of my rabbits he had all sorts of problems , including renal failure, but without the metacam he would have died much sooner as he would not have been able to move at all, all this advice was given to me by one of the uk's leading specialists in rabbit medicne and surgery

Answer 6

No, I haven't. I'm so sorry for you & your cat. Thank you for giving us the heads up on this. I looked on the site below & couldn't believe what I was seeing. I wish you the best.

Answer 7

Vets do the best they can, but this sounds like they weren't even thinking!!!!!!!!!!I am sure that your cat will b just fine.