9/9 Leo PMPS 97

Hi all,

Just got back from work and came to pick Leo up, he got out of his kitty bed and can't walk on his front right paw, it's swollen on his joint right by his paw pad. My parents said he was walking fine this morning but has been in bed all afternoon. We are on our way to the vet as I type this, of course our vet wants to give him metacam. I need an alternative ASAP!!!!! please help!!

Re: 9/9 Leo-help can't walk has sore right front leg

Tell them no Metacam.
J.D. hurt his leg 2 years ago jumping off my desk wrong and I told the ER vet no metacam, and she understood and agreed, and we came home with Bupe. The next day, I went to my normal vet, and got some more Bupe.
I wish you luck, and sending quick healing vines to Leo. (((hugs))).

Re: 9/9 Leo-help can't walk has sore right front leg

I think you need to know if this is an inflammation, where an anti-inflammatory (other than Metacam) or a pain med would be recommended or if there's something else going on that's causing pain (e.g., a splinter!).

If your vet pushes the Metacam, I'd sweetly ask if his malpractice is paid up and how much he really wants to put Leo through college and buy you a new Mercedes. 'Cause if anything happens to Leo, the vet will be paying through the nose and lose his license.

Re: 9/9 Leo-help can't walk has sore right front leg

Is there an alternative anti inflammatory we can use instead of metacam? It's obviously swollen. I'll be at the vet clinic in 10 minutes or so. Will update when I can.

Re: 9/9 Leo-help can't walk has sore right front leg

prednisolone is an anti inflammatory. of course it is a steroid, so you want to be careful in it's use with the diabetes and all. but it is an alternative and for a short period could help the situation, it will just require more testing on your part and possibly adjusting insulin in order to work around the steroid.

and get predniSOLONE - not prednisone. While they are similar drugs - the solone doesn't need to go through as many body functions and is a bit easier on the system. and yes, you can get it at the people pharmacy! so get a small supply from vet or a scrip if your pharmacy is open. It's cheaper there than what the vet will charge.

Re: 9/9 Leo-help can't walk has sore right front leg

Tracy & Leo said:

Is there an alternative anti inflammatory we can use instead of metacam? It's obviously swollen. I'll be at the vet clinic in 10 minutes or so. Will update when I can.

Click to expand...

pred is a anti inflammatory which may raise his BG some but it would be better then metacam this is what I would use update when you can

Re: 9/9 Leo-help can't walk has sore right front leg

No advice, just lots of get well soon thoughts from us!

Re: 9/9 Leo-help can't walk has sore right front leg

Tracy, I can't help with medication but can send healing vines and healing thoughts to Leo. I hope it's something simple, like a splinter or a thorn encountered while hunting mice.
Please update when you can.

Hugs,
Ella & Rusty

Re: 9/9 Leo-help can't walk has sore right front leg

Fingers and paws crossed for a quick and easy fix and Leo feeling better soon!

Re: 9/9 Leo-help can't walk has sore right front leg

I'm no help with the meds but am sending healing vines, snowflakes, good thoughts, everything I can think of your way! Let us know when you can! ((((hugs))))

Re: 9/9 Leo-help can't walk has sore right front leg

Don't do the metacam. Its just not worth risking acute renal failure. It happens - just two weeks ago on the FAF site another cat passed away after a single dose of metacam.

Re: 9/9 Leo-help can't walk has sore right front leg

Leo has a sprained wrist. New vet tried pushing metacam but we got 2 days of bupe. Leo was all pissy and in pain when the vet touched his wrist. Will update more when we get home.

Re: 9/9 Leo-help can't walk has sore right front leg

What a relief!!!! Good for you standing your ground. It's really hard to do when the vet pressures you to do what they want.

Re: 9/9 Leo-help can't walk has sore right front leg

yes, good for you for being assertive!!! so sorry the little buddy is hurting! i'd rather endure the owie than die, though. simply put!

i wonder if icing it would help if he will tolerate it. it might feel good.

Re: 9/9 Leo-help can't walk has sore right front leg

Poor Leo!!!! I hope he heals quickly!!!

Thanks all for the answers, i didn't check my iphone while i was in the exam room so i didn't see about the pred.....finally a short term alternative that i can ask for instead of this darn metacam!

I really really like our new vet aside from the pushing of the metacam, she brought up Leo's upcoming dental and his sore leg and using the metacam again.....giving me the spiel about safe usage, dosing Leo properly, blah blah blah, finally i interrupted her and said "will you see us even though i am going to refuse the metacam???" She said she would, but i would be putting Leo through unnecessary pain......oh puhlease! So we got buprenorphine, 2x a day for 2 days and she will phone us on Monday to see how he's doing. We did a quick icing session when we got home (he let me put an ice pack on for 5 minutes before he got up and walked away) And i will see about giving a dose of the bupe in a bit (i don't feel comfortable giving it if he seems ok). But of course during his exam he was walking around fine, until she flexed his little wrist....then it was MEOW-OUCH!!! The grandparents never noticed he was limping until i walked in the door and Leo got up to come see me, but he has been up to his old kitty tricks of jumping on the deck railing, jumping on countertops, jumping places he shouldn't be! So Leo has to take it easy for the next few days, no running, jumping, take it easy!! I should use my medical first responder training and use the RICE acronym....REST, ICE, COMPRESSION and ELEVATION :lol: :lol: Yeah right huh???

Hi Tracy,

Edit: Obviously you wrote your latest post as I was "working" on this one!!!!! I didn't know you were a medical first responder!!
I hope R.I.C.E. works!!


We are so glad that you declined the Metacam! Better safe than sorry. A cold washcloth used as a compress might help keep the swelling down if ice isn't practical. ( or you could try one of those flexible cold wraps). The standard first-aid treatment for people sprains is Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation (R.I.C.E.). It may apply to cats, too. Try to keep Leo from moving around too much. Use an ice wrap or something similar (this is very important to do early in the injury, to reduce swelling; put the wrap into a towel or something so that it doesn't directly go on the skin); moderate compression will also keep the swelling to a minimum, but don't make it too tight; elevate the leg above the heart if possible (might not be possible on Leo!!). My first-aid book says to do RICE for 20 minutes, then let the sprain warm again. It should be repeated 3 or 4 times a day.

Feel better soon, Leo. Just watch the mice for a while--don't chase them!

Ella & Rusty

Poor Leo!!! Good for you on the metacam issue. I can't believe your vet is even pushing it! I hope he heals up quickly. Despite the strained wrist, what a lovely PMPS!!!

Have a great weekend...I'm sure it's fabulous to be back with Leo!

Oh Tracy! It is sooo good to hear it's just a sprain. Leo, you need to take it easy buddy. Way to go on being forceful with the vet. You get mama bean award!! Keep your baby quiet and have a great evening. Glad you are home.

Great job sticking up for yourself & dodgin the Metacam bullet!!
Dont let these vets railroad you...and Leo's numbers are terrific!
Hope his sweet paw will be all healed in a few days! Hugs & Lub from us!
Feel good soon Leo boy :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

happy you did not get metacam my vets push it as well sending lots of healing vines for Leo tonight

Sending healing vines and belly rubs to Leo from Maggie and me. Hugs to you, too, for standing your ground about the Metacam.

Thanks everyone for stopping by and hangin out with Leo and I when we needed you all at the vet tonight, i sooooo wish i could stop by everyones condo that stopped by ours tonight, but after working 7-12 hour days i am pooped!!!!

Ni ni everyone.........

Tracy,

happy to hear this is resolved and that it's only a sprain. poor guy, wonder what he did to cause it. Bupe will work wonders for pain relief - be sure to give it to him, even if he appears to be not hurting. cat's have an amazing way at hiding their pain. Since you have such a small supply, you may find that if you cut the dose in half and administer it more frequently may work well enough to "take the edge off".

and yes, always good to know that there are other options available for just about everything.

prednisolone being a good anti-inflammatory option - it has it's challenges, especially for FD kitties, but it is an option.