4/9 ELIAN IS HOME FROM DENTAL. PHEW!

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Susie and Elian

Susie and Elian

Member Since 2013
The vet had me give him just one unit last night - he was at 532 +10.5 when I took him in for his dental. She monitored him all day and gave him one unit lantus and then one of reg insulin two times during the day. She had him around 190 for the day. She took him in first so she could get IV going and get him done. She had to extract 2 back left teeth and the mass she removed from his ear was also on the left side. I mentioned to her that coincidentally I have trouble getting enough blood for testing from his left ear. Wondering if the teeth and ear mass are related and affecting blood flow. Anyway, they had to syringe feed him because he refused to eat. But the good news is that he totally chewed down the minute he got home! I won't be needing the pills she sent home for his appetite! Sure hope that with all of this taken care of I can now get him regulated. Dr. Seems to think so. Fingers crossed.
 
Did the vet give you any pain meds?

Don't let Elian inhale his food. Frequent, small amounts are better so he doesn't scarf and barf. Anesthesia slows down the GI track.

Also "regular" insulin (Humulin R or "R") is fast acting. Elian's numbers may bounce up. Do you know what time the vet gave the shot of Lantus? Can you work with that time and shoot 12-hours later?
 
Thanks. Sure hope so! She said that infection can have a big impact and he had problems with two teeth. So he's got pain meds and antibiotics for the next few days. He seems fine now except he's keeping some distance from me. But he did just let me give him a pain shot. Will test him and shoot later tonight. Doc loves my printed out spreadsheets! And told me of a local hospital pharmacy that sells Lantus at half price. She also told me that with animals the Lantus can be used til it's gone - that it doesn't expire after a month or three months - I shouldn't have to throw any away. As long as the smell is there and his numbers reflect that it's still good. Sure hope she's right.
 
Sienne - he didn't eat a lot... just gobbled as soon as he saw it unlike at the vets office. She had me give him a pain shot at 7:00 and she said that if he didn't eat I should only give him 1 unit tonight, otherwise he can have 2. She wants me to continue him on 2 units for now because she thinks he'll react better to it with infection treated. Hope so! So far he's doing great - I thought he'd be 'out of it'. That's not the case at all, thank goodness.
 
Do you know what the antibiotic and pain meds are? I'm assuming the pain med is buprenorphine ("bupe").

I think the vet's suggestion to see how Elian is eating before giving a shot is a good one. I've had situations with Gabby where she didn't want to eat after a dental and I didn't realize it and shot her usual dose. It made for a challenging evening!! Baby food (meat and broth only -- Gerber or Beechnut stage 2 foods) are always a good alternative if it seems like Elian's mouth is bothering him.
 
He's got Clavamox pills for antibiotic for 7 days; 7 units Buprenex injection for pain (5 syringes); and 1 Metacam oral 0.3 individual dose for 3 days. Also Periactin in case he didn't eat.
 
This vet really seems to be right on track with you and your recommendations. So glad she joined my other vet in her practice!!! I feel so lucky.
 
You may want to reconsider the Metacam. It has an FDA black box warning about causing acute renal failure in cats. I'm not sure why the vet gave you bupe and Metacam -- both are for pain. Metacam may have more anti-inflammatory effects but it may not be worth the risk for kidney complications.

Periactin is cyproheptadine -- we use the generic name. (It's also cheaper as a generic!)

You may find the the amount of bupe gets Elian pretty stoned. You can always cut back on the dose.
 
Yikes - so far I don't see any effect from the 'bupe' - Elian is his normal self. And he ate again and enjoyed his treats. He was at 296 pmps which is low for him. Hopefully it's the start of good to come. I only have 3 doses of the metacam. You think I should skip them?
 
Thanks Marje - he seems to be doing great. And his big levels were great during the night.

Re: metacam what I'm seeing is that it's okay to use single dosing post-op. she only sent me home with 3 doses so its not long term use. I will do more reading before deciding what to do. Thanks for the heads up.
 
Personally, I would not use 1 dose or any doses of metacam at all on my cats! Read the black box warning and there are plenty of alternate drugs to use - why get stuck on just one? that is dangerous and could potentially kill the cat.......I would return the metacam and ask for an alternative.
 
Glad that all went well at the vetty's today .. dentals are hard, and very hard for us beans! I agree with the others and would totally skip the metacam but in the end, it is your call ..
 
So happy the dental went well and he is home recovering sending lots of recovery vines his way we are facing dental sx this friday for Do Lou and I will admit I am very worried will be glad when its behind us.
 
My vet called earlier today and I mentioned the concern about the metacam. She told me she was in on testing and thy the concerns were for long term use; that originally the FDA did not approve it for cats and doses given were for dogs. She told me that she dosed it for a cat and only three doses and she has had good results. Unlike other docs I've experienced, I have confidence and faith in this one. And Elian is doing really well - especially his by numbers!
 
sorry to disagree with your vet - but we have a member here whose cat was given 1 dose of metacam and almost died as a result - she is the person who fought to get the black box warning label on the medication - the fact that your vet is disregarding it, really isn't a good thing....

have you read the black box warning? http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/New ... 231254.htm

one dose can kill - seriously - there are other options you can use - just because you see a good result today, doesn't mean he won't suffer side effects tomorrow -

read the warning and if you still want to use it - then at least you were warned and took the risk - I just know it is not a risk I am willing to take

and have you seen this? http://metacamkills.com/

look at the list of cats that have died from using metacam! still want to risk Elian?
 
Thank you everybody for your concern and warnings. It's so difficult to know who to trust and believe - especially when we're stressed and emotional about our furrkids. We want to hope we can trust the docs but I've learned over the years, both thru mistakes with my children's care as well as my own, that docs don't know it all. Please forgive me for initially going against your warnings and giving him one dose. I hope he will forgive me! He's curled up next to me as I type on my phone. I love this guy so much. I will print out the warning and take it with me to follow up visit in two weeks.

And an extra thank you to Hillary and Caryl! :-)
 
I am just glad that you are now know and can make an informed decision. Many of us have learned that the vet is not always right and we have to be the informed consumer. To be honest, I never heard of the drug until coming to the board and learning about what happened to Carolyn's Latte and how hard she had to fight to get that black box warning.

For a drug to get that, there must be a serious reason and one that needs to be paid attention to.
 
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