PING: Phil - Cruciate ligament injury/Metacam

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HRFLTiger - 21 Jun 2006 22:25 GMT

My question concerns Pandora who damaged/pulled her cruciate ligament
in her left hind leg at the end of March. She was treated by the vet
with Depo-medrol at the time of injury, and it started to heal. She has
subsequently started limping again. The vet has now prescribed Metacam
drops - 1-2 drops daily for a week and then as she needs them.

Pandora is a healthy 6 year old 10lb female spayed cat, who is not
particularly overweight for her size. I've had a variety of vet tech
training, and I've always been taught that you don't use Metacam drops
in cats as it can lead to renal faliure.

I've not started her on the Metacam, even though my vet has assured me
she'll be OK. (Seen too many horror stories with sick kitties) and
would welcome some input to a more holistic treatment for her cruciate
pain.

What are peoples thoughts, firstly on Metacam, and secondly on a
Glucosamine supplement? Pandora is semi-feral, handling her is a major
issue as she gets very stressed, so regular pilling is not really an
option if I can help it, although I can do it.

Cheers
Helen M

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Spot - 22 Jun 2006 00:51 GMT

Has the cat been seen by an orthopedic vet? Are you sure they are pulled
and not torn? If they are torn they are not going to heal but will require
surgery.

Celeste

> My question concerns Pandora who damaged/pulled her cruciate ligament
> in her left hind leg at the end of March. She was treated by the vet
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> Cheers
> Helen M

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Phil P. - 22 Jun 2006 06:52 GMT

> My question concerns Pandora who damaged/pulled her cruciate ligament
> in her left hind leg at the end of March. She was treated by the vet
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> Cheers
> Helen M

Helen,

Metacam is approved only for *one time*, low dose (0.14mg/lb) use and only
in the *injectible form* after surgery in cats in the US because of the
possibility of very serious adverse effects. I wouldn't use it or recommend
its use in cats. I would rather use a small Fentanyl patch for pain than
metacam in a cat. Remember, vets don't report every adverse effect of drugs
they administer for obvious reasons. I've heard too many horror stories
about metacam to believe its as safe to use in cats as some vets say. Many
vets only know what the drug company literature and sales reps tell them-
same with pet food.

If the injury doesn't require surgery, I would keep her in a recoup cage for
a few days or in a small room that doesn't have any places where she can
climb or jump down from when you're not around.

Good luck,

Phil

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HRFLTiger - 22 Jun 2006 23:03 GMT

> Metacam is approved only for *one time*, low dose (0.14mg/lb) use and only
> in the *injectible form* after surgery in cats in the US because of the
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> a few days or in a small room that doesn't have any places where she can
> climb or jump down from when you're not around.///

Thanks for responding Phil. I've had a couple of DVM's and MRCVS's
respond that Metacam has been used by them OK, but I'm still very wary
re the side effects - Pandora is too special to risk. Therefore, no
metacam for her, and a Glucosamine suplement instead.

Regards and thanks

Helen M.

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HRFLTiger - 23 Jun 2006 21:31 GMT

> If the injury doesn't require surgery, I would keep her in a recoup cage for
> a few days or in a small room that doesn't have any places where she can
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Phil///

Hi Phil,

First, thanks for the reply regarding metacam.

A brief update, Pandora visited an orthopeadic specialist today as she
started having problems with lameness in both hind legs on Wednesday.

>From his assessment and X-rays, it seems that she has congenital Medial

Patellar luxation which is causing her to strain and sprain her
cruciates if she jumps awkwardly, or over exercises. It seems that it
something she is going to have to live with, surgery is not neccessary
at this point as her knee joints are relatively stable, and they will
be helped by Metacam when she has really bad days and Glucosamine
supplements.

Thanks for the input on Metacam - after speaking to Bristol University,
we have decided that part of her treatment regime should include
matecam drops if she has a particularly bad day but it helps to be
aware of the dangers.

Many thanks

Helen M

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