Metacam pain relief

[lizzydrippin]

Just wondered if anyone has had their pet cat on a painkiller called Metacam, I think its a painkiller originally meant for dogs but cats have also been prescribed it for some time now.
The reason I ask is because one of my cats 'Harvey' had a knock on the road 2 weeks ago (which luckily he survived but broke his pelvis and fractured his hip bone.) The vet said we would need to keep Harvey contained in one room resting as much as possible and his injuries would heal. Harvey was prescribed 2 drops of Metacam once a day for pain. Everything has gone very well for the last 2 weeks and Harvey has mostly slept and hasnt attempted to do anything he shouldnt. But this afternoon just a few minutes after eating the food with his pain killer in (which I think was too soon to be connected) Harvey who has been sleeping in his cat bed under our bed suddenly began to act like he was being attacked. He was in a real frenzy which lasted about a minute and scared the life out of us and him. Harvey is 3 yrs old and a very placid friendly cat who never acts aggressively in any way. If you had been in the next room you would have sworn that Harvey was having a terrible vicious fight with another cat but there was nobody else around apart from myself and my husband. Could it be a side-effect of the Metacam? Harvey has been taking it for 2 weeks now. I will phone my vet as soon as they open tomorrow obviously.

[raggies1]

Metacam is a non steroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID) so I doubt it would cause the side effect as its only anti inflammatory. The dose cats get is so low compared to dogs but like you said phone your vet and see if they can help.

[jollygreen]

Hi, Our cat Ted has been on this daily for about 18 months - his doseage varies from one to four drops per day (he has urinary tract disorder). The only side effect we have ever noticed is a tendancy to stink out the litter tray! I hope you got on ok at the vet - it sounds like Harvey had a pain or fright. Let us know. Mrs JG

[lizzydrippin]

Hello There and thanks very much for your answers. The vet said pretty much the same as you suggested jollygreen, that Harvey must have either had a fright or maybe tried to stand and got a pain. As it happens I was cleaning his litter tray not so far away and I shook a carrier bag open (you know the way you do with an empty carrier bag just before putting something in it) , even though it wasnt something that had ever made him jump before he had his accident maybe its left him feeling nervous at sudden noises and thats what scared him. It was just so out of character for him as he's usually so laid back. He's been acting quite strange since it happened and keeps going right to the far side of the underneath of the bed (by the wall) so it obviously upset him whatever it was. Its so sad seeing him unable to run about and play, he was so active and playful. Apparently its an injury that takes a fair while to heal. We're giving him lots of extra love and attention and even though the vet says he will always have a limp hopefully he'll be back to his chirpy self soon.

[bensmum]

I hope Harvey is back to his usual self soon. One of mine had a similar accident when she was 18 months old and it takes time to heal and for them to get their confidence back. He will probably need lots of love and reassurance. As far as Metacam goes I had an elderly cat on it for some time because of arthritis problems and she had no problems.

[lizzydrippin]

Thanks alot Bensmum, thats really re-assuring to hear. I don't suppose you can remember how long it was after her accident that she began to walk fairly normally? My husband thinks Harvey is improving but to me he seems pretty much the same as the day it happened. Its only noticable on his left back leg which he cant seem to put any weight on it. I know its early days (it happened 2 weeks ago yesterday) but if I could just see a small improvement I'd stop worrying that he's not healing.