My vet just prescribed Meloxicam for my cats injured tail. I've just looked this drug up and it seems its not,

Question

supposed to be used in cats. I called the vet and was told it can be used in cats. Has anyone else ever used this?

Answer 1

My dog was once hit by a car. She received a broken leg, a broken toe, and several serious cuts and bruises.

The Vet operated on he broken leg, set her toe, kept her overnight to recover from the sugery and told me I could pick her up in 24 hours. When I went back the next day to get her, and he gave me a Rx for Vallium, (for her, NOT me, although I "could" have used it, by then too!!), to relieve her pain and suffering.

I asked where to get it filled, and was told at any pharmacy. So off to the pharmacy I went with the Rx in my dogs name.

I gave the assistant the Rx and she looked at the Rx, then gave ME the strangest look! (My dogs name was Coke, She had a brother named Rum). Then the assistant asked what was Coke's last name? I said, What?!? She doesn't have one! Another strange look! Then she asked, When is Coke's birthday? I said, Oh! Hang on, I am sure I know...Yes! it is in September! Um, I think it is sometime around the 10th! This response produced the strangest look yet!!!!

Suddenly it hit me!!! I said, OMG!!! Coke is a DOG!!! NOT a child!!!The assistant's face now showed shock! Then quickly changed to relief! Just as quickly followed by puzzlement! When she finally spoke, she said, This is a PHARMACY!! For PEOPLE!! I could not help myself from letting out a bit of a laugh. I said, Yes, I know, now I need you to fill the Rx please. She could not understand for the life of her WHY I was trying to get medicine for my DOG, from a pharmacy for PEOPLE!!!

The humor wore off a bit fast at this point, as I knew poor Coke was in a great deal of pain and needed her Vallium as soon as possible. I tried to explain to the assistant that Vallium is Vallium, NO MATTER WHERE you get it from, and unfortunately there was not a Doggie Pharmacy that I knew of!

I had noticed that the pharmasist, who was just out of ear-shot, had been keeping a bit of an eye on us. So I caught his attention and called him over to explain to the assistant that it really was ok to fill Coke's Rx. He did. I got it. Left, and was able ro relieve Coke's pain during her recovery.

Happy Ending.

The whole purpose of this, (very true!) story, was to explain that very often our pets are given the same Rx's that we take, just in smaller doses.

The 1st answerer mentioned that the drug in question here is an anti-inflamatory one, which would make perfect sense for your poor kitty's tail!

Good luck, and now that you have double-checked with your Vet, relax and trust him.

Answer 2

Is it related to metacam, also an anti-inflamnatory and pain reliever? There has been a great deal of discussion about the harmful effects of the metacam on cats with cancer for whom vets have prescribed this drug. I think that these NASIDS (not sure that's right spelling) are not good for cats and can do liver damage.

The vet wanted to give me metacam for my cat with bladder cancer and I wouldn't do it. He is not in pain anyway. It's supposed to have some tumor shrinking properties.

You can get some Rescue Remedy from a health foods store and treat your cat with that which has pain relieving properties. It is totally harmless. You just shake the bottle well and put three or four drops on the cat's fur. It costs about $20. Treat often and you can continue it for as long as you like. If you see the cat is relaxing and not showing signs of pain, then stop.

I don't know how much pain your cat is in and I would try it. If it doesn't seem to do the job then you could go to a drug. Since you cat has an injury that will get better the drug might not do that much damage. I will always try the most benign thing first before turning to drugs.

Answer 3

I have never used this medication in my cats but here is some information I found:

Meloxicam can be used in cats but with caution. It is not approved for feline use and cats as a rule tend to be sensitive to NSAIDs.

Meloxicam is approved only for canine use officially and was designed for long term use in dogs (and humans). The cat represents a special situation. The feline liver does not have the same enzyme systems as other mammalian livers do. This means that a dose of NSAID is stronger and lasts a very long time in the feline body (for example, aspirin is commonly dosed for dogs twice a day but for cats it is dosed twice a week.) For this reason, NSAID development for cats has been particularly difficult. Meloxicam is approved for one single dose after surgery in the cat. It is not approved for long term use in cats; however, research has found that many cats can take meloxicam with appropriate monitoring and dosing. This typically means administering meloxicam every other day or less. Daily dosing can only be used for a short time (a few days maximum). Because of special feline vulnerability to side effects, be sure you understand dosing instructions from your veterinarian before using this medication in a cat.

How often does your cat have to take this medicine? It sounds like it's not supposed to be for long term use. It also sounds like it can be used in cats but its not used often. If I still felt uncomfortable I would call another vet for a second opinion and see what he or she says. It may help to ease your mind and go to the sites and check out the side effects for cats to make sure your cat is not showing any of these. Hope your kitty starts feeling better soon. Best of luck.

Answer 4

Cats often have accidents involving their tails eg they can be accidentally shut in a door or even caught on a fence -- I knew a cat that jumped onto a corrugated iron fence when a cat-hating neighbour chased him off & he slipped and the end of his tail was sliced off. Usually there is a bump where the injury has occurred but the fact that he doesn't appear able to use his tail suggests it is broken. As the other correspondents have suggested, you really need to take him to the vet to be sure. Can you provide feedback after he is seen? Good Luck

Answer 5

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Answer 6

There are many medications that state that they are for dogs but vets know that they can be used for cats in diferent dosages. If you have any doubts, call another clinic.

Answer 7

Hi there...some prescriptions can be used what is called "off label". Metacam is an NSAID (anti-inflammatory/analgesic).

The primary concern would the liver and kidney risks. Please consider asking your vet what conditions do you need to discontinue use and are there any other alternative pain meds to use if Metacam presents some reactions.

Here's are some articles that show the off label use specifically for cats:


http://www.2ndchance.info/pain.htm
http://antechdiagnostics.com/clients/antechNews/2005/jan05_02.htm
http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=WSAVA2003&PID=6621&O=Generic
http://www.manhattancats.com/Articles/pain.html

Answer 8

Probably not the answer you are looking for, but I use it MYSELF for my arm... It is an anti-inflammatory pill. Not too sure what percent (if any) is pain relief.

Answer 9

My friend had this for both of his dogs they were both old dogs.... not sure what it was for though