Metacam Question - Safe in Canada?

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SugarFreeLucy

SugarFreeLucy

Member Since 2012
Hi all,

I am hoping that someone can help with my concerns with giving Lucy Metacam.

She had major dental work done this afternoon, 5 teeth were removed - one was quite infected!

As pain management for home, she was given 2 syringes of Metacam as well as Buprenorphine. I am supposed to give her one syringe of Metacam tomorrow and the next one on Friday.

I have been made aware of the FDA warnings that this drug may cause renal failure in cats! I certainly don't want that! In doing my research, it seems that there is a different manufacturer and dosing in Canada vs the US - apparently the 'safe' amount in the US is 1.5 times that of what Canada considers safe.

Just wondering if anyone has used this drug in Canada? Is it truly different? I am leery of giving her this if it is going to cause serious problems down the road.

Any advice would be welcomed,
Val & Lucy
 
SugarFreeLucy said:
Hi all,

I am hoping that someone can help with my concerns with giving Lucy Metacam.

She had major dental work done this afternoon, 5 teeth were removed - one was quite infected!

As pain management for home, she was given 2 syringes of Metacam as well as Buprenorphine. I am supposed to give her one syringe of Metacam tomorrow and the next one on Friday.

I have been made aware of the FDA warnings that this drug may cause renal failure in cats! I certainly don't want that! In doing my research, it seems that there is a different manufacturer and dosing in Canada vs the US - apparently the 'safe' amount in the US is 1.5 times that of what Canada considers safe.

Just wondering if anyone has used this drug in Canada? Is it truly different? I am leery of giving her this if it is going to cause serious problems down the road.

Any advice would be welcomed,
Val & Lucy
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You have the bupe and that is what I would use.... not the metacam.
I would take the metacam back to the vet and say you are NOT taking the chance and you want bupe instead.
I would also question a vet who thinks it's OK to use.

I know of a person who does use metacam, but it is a very very small amount, a drop in food, for pain relief that is more chronic. For certain reasons, metacam was chosen by the owner, but not until all other options were not viable.
 
That's what I was thinking too....thanks!

I just checked her dose and it is 0.17ml in each syringe.....she would get that amount once a day for the next two days.
 
Metacam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). All of the NSAIDs have a high side effect profile in cats. If you look on the Health board, there is a sticky note on NSAIDs that will link you to the AAHA statement. That statement was published before the FDA published it's black box warning for Metacam. (FYI: short of recalling a drug, this is the most severe warning the FDA issues.) The problem with Metacam, like any drug, is that no matter what the dose, you don't know how your cat will respond. Given that one of the members here had a cat that went into acute renal failure after being given Metacam, it's an issue we are extremely sensitive to. It was through Carolyn/Latte's efforts, along with that of many others, that the FDA responded.
 
Scary stuff for sure! It seems crazy that Canada is now labeling it 'safe' for cats!

I didn't give it to her, sticking with the Bupe. Even before I read the sticky I wasn't comfortable giving it to her.
 
Please make sure you talk with your vet. While I doubt both drugs were required, and while metacam DOES have issues, you need to work with your vet and she needs to know your concerns.

My Squeak can't tolerate other meds, so he has to have metacam if there are pain issues. So we are very careful with the dosage and watch for any issues

Jen
 
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