Tell me what's safe (Cosequin/Meloxicam/Ketoprofen/Metacam/Ketoprofen)

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Cat guy - 28 Apr 2004 14:19 GMT

My 12 year old male cat (18 lbs) has been showing signs of reduced
physical ability (not able to jump onto chairs very well, etc), recent
hip x-rays show what appears to be some arthritis, etc etc.

So, I've been doing web searches on stuff like:

Cosequin
Rimadyl (Carprofen)
Meloxicam (Metacam)
Predisone
Ketoprofen

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I've come across
anything on any of the above drugs where there was not mentioned some
hideous side-effect (like death).

Is there no SAFE drug I can try my cat on to see if I can modify his
symptoms without fear that when I come home from work I won't find him
dead somewhere in the house?

My wife picked up a 10 ml bottle of Metacam from our vet today (I
haven't had any conversations with my vet yet about my concerns about
these drugs). I'm in Canada. The single page document that comes with
the bottle says nothing about Metacam and cats (only mentions Dogs).
Even the bottle only mentions Dogs.

The instructions (printed on the box by our vet) says to give 1 drop
orally twice weekly for musculoskelatal pain. Stop if
vomitting/diarrhea. GIVE WITH FOOD.

Latest lab tests (a few months ago) indicate no detectible sign of
kidney problems. Maybe a slight indication of hyperthyroid problem.
Currently he's only taking glucosamine (again for the past several
months).

Will 1 drop of Metacam kill him or what? Will that be enough to see a
difference within 24 hours?

(Don't bother replying to this thread if your cat died because you
over-dosed him on any of these drugs because obviously I don't intend
on doing that, but apparently some people have because of the
instructions printed on the bottle by their bone-head vet).

Your experiences with any of these drugs are appreciated (both short
and long-term). Specifically interested in Metacam.

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Karen - 28 Apr 2004 15:30 GMT

> My 12 year old male cat (18 lbs) has been showing signs of reduced
> physical ability (not able to jump onto chairs very well, etc), recent
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> anything on any of the above drugs where there was not mentioned some
> hideous side-effect (like death).

Cosequin is a food supplement. Very safe. No side effects. It is not a drug.
Works great for cats. Rest are really not advised for cats or not proven to
help arthritis. I think you would be pleased with Cosequin and it sprinkles
right on their food. It'll take several weeks to see improvement. My cat was
always shaking out her leg with the arthritic knee (very bad arthritis)
after about 4 weeks, this reduced dramatically. My vet came to believe in it
after a patient of hers that had terrible arthritis in all joints received
no relief from *anything*. Losing nothing, gave the client a box of Cosequin
for free. In 8 weeks, she could not believe the increased mobility of the
cat. My .02.

Karen

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MIKE - 28 Apr 2004 23:51 GMT

Some high quality cat foods contain chondroitin which could be helpful
with arthritis. Wellness dry, Innova light are two that contain it.

-MIKE

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blkcatgal - 29 Apr 2004 00:34 GMT

Cosequin is a supplement - very safe as far as I know. I've been giving it
to my cat for about 2 years now. No side effects that I have heard of.
Rimadyl is usually given to dogs and, as far as I know, has not been
approved for cats. But I have heard of cases where a vet will prescribe it
for a cat. My vet will not so I don't know what it would do to a cat (help
or harm). Metacam, I understand, is being considered here (in the States)
as a possible help for cats with arthritis. But it is still in the testing
phase and has not been offically approved for use even though some vets will
prescribe it. Prednisone is a steroid and an anti-inflamatory and can be of
some benefit to a cat with arthritis. But it has its side effects and
should not be used for long term. Ketoprofen also has side effects and
should not be used for long term.

Sue

> My 12 year old male cat (18 lbs) has been showing signs of reduced
> physical ability (not able to jump onto chairs very well, etc), recent
[quoted text clipped - 41 lines]
> Your experiences with any of these drugs are appreciated (both short
> and long-term). Specifically interested in Metacam.

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Laura R. - 29 Apr 2004 03:43 GMT

circa Wed, 28 Apr 2004 09:19:06 -0400, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav,
Cat guy (Cat@Guy.com) said,

> My 12 year old male cat (18 lbs) has been showing signs of reduced
> physical ability (not able to jump onto chairs very well, etc), recent
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> symptoms without fear that when I come home from work I won't find him
> dead somewhere in the house?

Glucosamine. MSM. Chondroitin.

Laura

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I am Dyslexia of Borg,
Your a.s will be laminated.

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Wendy - 29 Apr 2004 12:19 GMT

Cosequin is safe and can help long term. The rest either aren't approved for
use in cats (although some vets are using them) and/or have side effects
that could be dangerous.

If your cat seems to be in pain ask the vet about arnica montana. I've used
it with my cat and it does give her some relief without risk of side
effects.

Most medications for arthritis are NSAIDs and that's the rub. Cats don't
metabolize them well.

Losing weight (if the cat is carrying a some extra) can help. Some times
they gain weight as they become less active.

W

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