Topic: Alice may have a problem with her leg. (Read 14356 times)

Mark · « **Reply #38 on:** August 05, 2008, 09:54:20 AM »

The vet said they could keep her in for x-rays but would probably advise Metacam anyway so there wasn't much point. She said I have 2 options - either reduce 1/2 her dose or take her off it completely and "pulse" treat. ie if she looks "old ladyish" treat her for a few days. If that doesn't work, go to the first option. She said I was probably better off try the 2nd option as this would mean less of the drug going into her.

She told me to buy a large Metacam on the way out but apparently it only comes in one size.

Dawn F · « **Reply #37 on:** August 05, 2008, 09:51:53 AM »

hope she gets on ok, she'll forgive you!

Mark · « **Reply #36 on:** August 04, 2008, 23:26:12 PM »

Well she's back at the vets in the morning for a check up. I feel so bad as she gets so upset

I assume I don't give her Metacam in the morning as I can't feed her in case she has to have x-rays?

She is fast asleep

Mark · « **Reply #35 on:** July 29, 2008, 19:39:19 PM »

Quote from: Millys Mum on July 29, 2008, 19:02:28 PM

Could all the stairs to do a poo be aggravating things?!

Possibly but it's her choice as sometimes she uses the one in the basement and other times the garden. She now sleeps in the basement so no idea why she chooses to go up there

- I think she sees it as her safe haven as no other cats go up there. It's funny but the others just don't go up there. Anyway, she is acting strangely. I went up to see her a while ago and she was still under the bed. I laid on the bed and she jumped up and sat on me for a while.
Then she decided to have a lie down on a chest of drawers

- when I got up, she hopped under the bed again. Anyway, she will hopefully come down later. I didn't feed her up there on purpose as I don't want to undo 6 months work.

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #34 on:** July 29, 2008, 19:13:02 PM »

Quote from: Millys Mum on July 29, 2008, 19:02:28 PM

Its wonderful stuff tho, and with badly arthritic cats you have to decide whether a longer stiff life is better than a shorter pain free one. I know id always choose to use it.

Yes, I have no qualms at all about this decision. My mother has arthritis and - being of the generation she is - I once walked into her house to find her crawling up the stairs on her hands and knees as the pain was so unbearable. Blip is not going through that.

PS my mothers feet didnt touch the ground as I whisked her to her doctor and I went into the consulting room with her to be certain she told the truth about her pain.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #33 on:** July 29, 2008, 19:02:28 PM »

Could all the stairs to do a poo be aggravating things?!

Twice daily metacam wouldnt be good, longterm other than gastric issues it build up so should be used wisely in older/crf cats.
Accurate dosing is crucial so that label mistake wouldnt have been good if it was for a patient to use the whole bottle, lucky your on for a week before assessment.

Its wonderful stuff tho, and with badly arthritic cats you have to decide whether a longer stiff life is better than a shorter pain free one. I know id always choose to use it.

Dabs, when you say 3ml do you mean 3kg on the dosing syringe?

Mark · « **Reply #32 on:** July 29, 2008, 16:28:17 PM »

She hasn't forgiven me. She is under the bed in the attic.
I rolled under the bed to see her but she moved away. Strangely, she isn't purring now and she always purrs for me

I will let her stew and she will come down when she is

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #31 on:** July 29, 2008, 15:10:09 PM »

Hope the metacam helps Alice's leg - has she forgiven you yet?

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #30 on:** July 29, 2008, 13:44:10 PM »

Quote from: Mark on July 29, 2008, 13:39:53 PM

I asked the vet if it was safe to give as an ongoing med if needed. She said the only issue is some cats have gastric problems with it - I pointed out that Alice already has those and doesn't need them aggravated. I will just keep an eye on her. If it gives her relief then it can only be good. I couldn't allow her to just exist in pain and this is the alternative so I am willing to give it a go.

Our vet nurse told me to mix the daily dose with Blip's food or, if she wouldn't take it like that, to administer by mouth after food, thus minimising the risk of gastric upset. I pass this advice on

Blip seems to like the taste, in fact, and eats it with her supper.

Dawn F · « **Reply #29 on:** July 29, 2008, 13:41:02 PM »

the internet is a bit dangerous where these things are concerned they usually dwell on the worst case scenario - like Christine says I'd have a chat with someone at the vet

Mark · « **Reply #28 on:** July 29, 2008, 13:39:53 PM »

I asked the vet if it was safe to give as an ongoing med if needed. She said the only issue is some cats have gastric problems with it - I pointed out that Alice already has those and doesn't need them aggravated. I will just keep an eye on her. If it gives her relief then it can only be good. I couldn't allow her to just exist in pain and this is the alternative so I am willing to give it a go.

dabs · « **Reply #27 on:** July 29, 2008, 13:37:37 PM »

I use metacam but on a "when needed" basis with my 14 year old who has arthritis with muscle wasting in his right hind leg. He had renal and liver function tests first to check that all was ok there.

He has three mls only when in pain and this can be once a week or 5 times a week. I can tell when he is in pain as he walks with a pronounced limp. My vet was quite happy to issue it on a PRN basis.

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #26 on:** July 29, 2008, 13:35:06 PM »

Blip has just been prescribed Metacam too. My vet told me it has now been licensed for use in cats. Why not have a chat with your vet about that website, Mark?

I know that there are similar sites devoted to various human drugs - they do affect different individuals differently. For my part, I shall continue to give Blip Metacam unless I see grounds for concern.

Mark · « **Reply #25 on:** July 29, 2008, 13:13:26 PM »

Just what I needed - I googled Metacam cat - and look what is at the top of the search

http://www.metacamkills.com/

Anyone have experience of this drug?

I am on close watch now

I wouldn't mind if they offered alternative suggestions. What do you do if your cat is in pain?

clarenmax · « **Reply #24 on:** July 29, 2008, 13:05:20 PM »

I'm sure you'll be forgiven in no time for the vet visit ........ I wish they knew we were trying to help them

Mark · « **Reply #23 on:** July 29, 2008, 13:03:24 PM »

I think she is more comfortable judging by the way she was lying down. It's overcast so she came in. She got a bit short with me for fussing around her which is probably a good sign. I think she has retreated to the attic to sleep off her ordeal

Alice yesterday

clarenmax · « **Reply #22 on:** July 29, 2008, 12:46:46 PM »

Awww bless her, I hope the Metacam makes her more comfortable

Mark · « **Reply #21 on:** July 29, 2008, 12:05:02 PM »

I just went to the Attic and she was waiting for me to escort her downstairs - she is out in the garden now and hopefully a lot more comfortable

Mark · « **Reply #20 on:** July 29, 2008, 11:42:03 AM »

I know - she got extra brushing yesterday as I was gingerly trying to see if it hurt her.
She loves under her chin being slickered. If I stop, she rubs her chin against the brush

I said to the vet it was just as well I didn't have kids as I would be a nightmare - she said I would be a good parent if I treated kids the way I treat cats

Another thing, luckily, Lynn, the Practice Manager checked the label as the vet made a mistake and put down to give Alice the Metacam twice a day

I don't know what the issues are if she had been double dosed?

Dawn F · « **Reply #19 on:** July 29, 2008, 10:46:12 AM »

poor girl, maybe its just age, she has had a rough time no wonder she has retreated to the pent house! mine always shed tons of hair at the vet as well, it always makes them look neglected!

Mark · « **Reply #18 on:** July 29, 2008, 10:43:52 AM »

Forgot to mention before, James said her legs are fine but the tenderness is in her lower spine. She still has the pot belly although it's less noticeable as she has filled out all over

- They said she is in very good condition generally

Mark · « **Reply #17 on:** July 29, 2008, 10:25:33 AM »

I hope she eats the food with it on - I'm wary of wasting doses when they decide they don't want something

No disrespect to the new vet - I know everyone has to learn their job but was surprised she offered a 2nd opinion as a 3rd option saying she couldn't find anything wrong. I assume she is newly qualified as I said I was amazed at how much Alice was moulting in there. I said you wouldn't believe she was brushed 3 times yesterday. She said it could be the stress "well that's what the vets says"

Anyway, Alice obviously sees the Attic room as her safe-haven as she hadn't been spending any time up there for days - except sometimes she goes all the way up there (3 floors up) just for a poo

Dawn F · « **Reply #16 on:** July 29, 2008, 10:12:41 AM »

hope the metacam helps Mark, she'll forgive you, women huh??

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #15 on:** July 29, 2008, 09:58:42 AM »

Hope the metacam helps. Poor Alice it is awful for them when they are scared.

Mark · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2008, 09:51:15 AM »

The new woman vet saw her. After examining her, she said she couldn't find anything wrong as all her leg joints extend OK. She said I had 3 options. 1. A week on Metacam to see how she goes, 2. x-rays, 3. A 2nd opinion from one of the regular vets. I went for option 3

James said he recommends a week on Metacam to see if it makes her more mobile, I have to take her back next week. I said I was happy to go straight for x-rays but they said it is more likely to be something that needs ongoing NSAIDS so better to do it this way. Alice was drooling in fear

She is annoyed with me now and gone upstairs.

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2008, 08:33:57 AM »

I hope everything turns out well for Alice today and that she doesn't get too stressed with her vet visit. Looking forward to an update later on

Mark · « **Reply #12 on:** July 29, 2008, 07:44:54 AM »

I hate ignoring them when they want breakfast. I have offered her a few biscuits as if they keep her in, the earliest she would be looked at would be 2pm - she wasn't interested in them which is probably a good thing. I have been watching her walk and there is definitely something going on with her left leg. OH said he would pay to have a vet over but I have pointed out that a mobile vet can't bring x-ray equipment etc with them

As Christine says, we have to harden our hearts - I feel sick at the thought of bundling her into the car and driving 4 miles to Herne Bay - even more sick about the idea of leaving her there thinking she has been dumped

- I know it's for the best and I shouldn't be so soft

Mark · « **Reply #11 on:** July 28, 2008, 17:05:03 PM »

Thanks - She isn't interested in the garden today. She has opted for the rug on a hard floor rather than her bed on the sofa so may be in some pain. She is fast asleep right now so I will leave her to it

I this in the bakers today -

"There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart... pursue those" ~W. Churchill

Dawn F · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2008, 16:23:51 PM »

good luck Mark and Alice

Team Svartalfheims · « **Reply #9 on:** July 28, 2008, 16:22:20 PM »

Best wishes for tomorrow Mark xx

Mark · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2008, 15:32:27 PM »

I don't understand them. I just gave her a full on brush with a slicker and she was rolling round in ecstasy. I made a point of brushing well on the same leg but there was no reaction - other than the double purring, eyes rolling round in her head and dribbling

I will keep a close eye. It's nothing to do with money or time. I just hate putting them through it unnecessarily. I'm lucky to have the luxury of being able to keep a close eye on them basically 24/7 so any more signs and I will get her in. Her appetite is fine - so far today she has had 1/2 pouch of felix, some Orijen biscuits (which have glucosamine in) and just now, a saucer full of roast chicken breast. She is as happy as Larry at the moment

Edit - I just had a gentle prod around the area and she lashed out again so she is booked in "no breakfast" for tomorrow 9am

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2008, 15:10:42 PM »

Quote from: Mark on July 28, 2008, 15:06:55 PM

I hate taking her as she cries all the way

So does Blip. I just harden my heart to her cries

clarenmax · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2008, 15:08:48 PM »

Aw, poor Alice, I hope its nothing serious

Give her a gentle head rub from me

Mark · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2008, 15:06:55 PM »

I have started her insurance (Axa £134 for the year - I put her as 10 years old, the higher end of the vet's estimate) and will get her booked in to the vet for tomorrow to be safe. I know this won't be covered but hate to think she may be in pain

I hate taking her as she cries all the way

Canterbury_cats (Sharon) · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2008, 15:02:13 PM »

Mark i would think about getting Alice checked out.. as she had that scare last year, painful joints can sometimes have a underlying cause and its worth making sure about knowing Alice past history..

Christine (Blip) · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2008, 14:55:16 PM »

Yes, Blip walks stiffly sometimes with the arthritis. Another time, she had an injury that needed an antibiotic jab. Always worth checking these things

Kittybabe (Ruth) · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2008, 12:45:45 PM »

Mark do. Now. She might have hurt it. The only way I knew Lexy had dislocated her knee from a fall was by touching. Well she wanted to hide as well. It could be arthritis and you need to get that checked soon.

Give her a head fuss

Mark · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2008, 12:38:26 PM »

She was lying down next to me last night and I was brushing her. When I brushed her left haunch, she scratched me - it is so out of character as she is so gentle normally. I touch the area again and got scratched again. She is a bit stiff when she walks so I think I will ask the vet to x-ray or something. I wondered if I should take her insurance out now?

Author Topic: Alice may have a problem with her leg. (Read 14356 times)