Is it the lemon-flavored liquid with a dropper? I eventually gave up trying to disguise it in food and squirted it directly in Woody’s mouth. He didn’t care much for it, but it turned out to be more merciful for us both to just get it over with. He didn’t mind it at all after a month or so, actually would stand there and wait for me to do it, such a good sport, my buddy was.
It may be different for cats, but there is a very small minority of dogs who react badly to Metacam. If there are any warnings about blood in the urine, do take it seriously and stop treatment immediately if you see it. I was really concerned when I gave him his first dose, but no problems. He seemed to relax and feel better within ten minutes’ time, every time.
For “off label” cancer treatment, dosage is usually increased above the recommended painkilling dosage by weight. You’ll want to find someone to discuss this with, a cooperative vet if yours doesn’t want to go there.
A hard and fast rule, no other NSAIDs and no aspirin, period, while on Metacam. Don’t do it. You could kill your cat combining them.
Lastly, you can get Metacam online a heck of a lot cheaper than at the vet’s office.
This stuff is in 2mL syringes, for oral use. She told me to keep an eye on urine as it could affect his kidneys.
Thanks for the info.
G
Metacam is extremely dangerous for cats, and is supposed to be limited to one-time use, and not even that if there’s the slightest hint of pre-existing kidney problems.
http://www.metacamkills.com/ Dehydration greatly increases the risk of severe kidney damage, and since cats who are sick and or in pain may not be eating or drinking enough, they are prone to dehydration.
The manufacturer’s original prescribing information and veterinary marketing materials encouraged all sorts of innappropriate uses of this drug and contained false and misleading claims, leading to a formal reprimand from the FDA and requirement that they modify the information. Unfortunately, a lot of vets don’t seem to have updated their knowledge.
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/Regulatory_Notice_Letters/w022304bi.pdf
There are much safer options for pain relief in cats.