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.
It is a powerful, painkilling drug, and precautions are in order. You run into the same thing for other veterinary NSAIDs such as Deramax. Some animals react badly to it, that’s the reason to be very cautious and observant when first beginning to administer, and to always look for blood in the urine. It can be very beneficial as well, far more often than detrimental side effects can occur. As I mentioned, my dog benefitted mightily from Metacam.
It sounds as if FReeper GRRRRRR has been advised of necessary precautions to me. But, continuing to administer it is not my decision. I was terrified by these borderline hysterical websites myself. Many people have lost pets due to being ill-informed, it seems.