Cat on Metacam for arthritis. Now anemic?

Question

A few years ago, a beautiful orange and white Maine Coone cat strayed onto our farm site. Two years ago, he was struck by a car which shattered his pelvis and disintegrated one of his hip sockets. He's been on enuluose (a laxative) and the pain killer Metacam since then. Romeo now is anemic. The vet has taken him off Metacam and is doing further lab work to determine if that's the cause as it is one of the side effects cats can have with the drug. Has anyone else had this problem? What sort of treatment/prognosis did you have?

He first start acting 'strange' about a week and a half ago. Sleeping on the kitchen table is just not like him! Then a few days ago he started being more lethargic when he's normally very energetic. On Sunday he started pooping inside and outside his litterbox. Since nothing about his litterbox/litter/house/family/etc. has changed, I knew something wasn't right. That's when I took him in and found out he's anemic.

Thanks FaithE and Tammy C! I'm hoping everything will be OK. He's just been through so much over the past couple of years. And Romeo is such a wonderful cat!

Answer 1

Cats do have this sort of reaction to this drug.

Typically, when a cat is on a medication like this, routine bloodwork and lab tests are done during that time to monitor the blood levels and make sure it isn't damaging anything. In our clinic, we do the tests every few months to ever six months. If the cat is OK, he can stay on the meds. If we start to see changes, then he is taken off the meds and further action is taken.

Typically, if changes are noted in the blood, the cat is taken off the medication and the body can reheal itself, so to speak.

It really depends on how long the effects have been going on as to what the prognosis might be. There are extensive treatments for anemic cats, and some mild ones too! Again, it just depends on how long it's been going on and what the lab work comes back looking like.

Answer 2

I have had a cat on Metacam,but it was for cancer pain,and she passed away.I do know that it can cause gastrointestinal bleeding,so your vet was right to take the cat off of it.I think the prognosis is good if that's what it is from. I hope your cat will be OK.