Hi, took BF’s Min Pin to the vets and it was suggested she go on MetCam for her Arthiritis. Does anyone have any experiences with their dogs and Metcam. MP had previously been on Rimadayl(sp) and I was worried about the SA’s.(particularily constapation)?
thanks,
Karen
My old dog was on Metacam for >4 years (way longer than what it is supposed to be effective) after Rimadyl was just not effective. No issues with constipation but you do need to monitor the dog for stomach upsets. (I just used yoghurt or milk which he loved to keep his stomach well lined.)
One thing tho that really helped - physio from a licenced physio. My equine physio also did dogs (and cats) - and the first time that she treated him with the muscle stimulation machine it was at horse strength and for 3x as long as for the horse who was still growing and learning dressage! This was so effective (1 a week for the 1st 4 and then 1x every 6 weeks) that I managed to reduce his drugs ration to 1/4 what it had been - and upped his exercise regime considerably.
Edited to add: My physio was a registered human practitioner who travelled to the UK to train/licence as a Vet Physio. Her children are now growing up and we are trying to re-connect so that my horse and current dogs can work with her again.
I prefer metacam to rimadyl, I personally feel it works better for most pets.
Monitor for dark tarry stool, “coffee grinds” in vomit and anorexia - these are classic signs of ulcers.
Dont overdose.
Otherwise, I consider it a wonder drug. It works great in people too (Meloxicam).
It was the only medication that my old Collie could tolerate. Everything else we tried gave him awful bloody diarrhea, but he didn’t have any side effects from the Metacam.
My oldster, Bumper, was on Metacam for the last year of her life. It was a lifesaver for her. Right now we have Riley, our 3 legged border collie, on a maintenance dosage. He gets very stiff and sore and his single hind leg has some arthritis. Without the Metacam he has a tough time somedays.
I had great successs with Metacam with our old (17+) Tibby mix. She tolerated it very well and it helped much better than other meds we tried. It is expensive but she was small so that was an advantage. If one of my large dogs needed it, I would have to go and get an extra job to pay for it.
We use metacam for my hound w/ back issues and it’s been AMAZING. It’s very pricey but the generic form (which is pills, not the liquid suspension) is very cheap.
I have not used it on a daily basis but I find it to be much more effective than Rimadyl. We always keep some on hand.
I recently switched my Irish Wolfhound from Deramaxx, which cost over $100 per month, to generic Metacam (meloxicam) which I got a prescription for and had filled at Cosctco for $5.99!! And I believe it is more effective than the Deramaxx was for my girl.
However, the pills are tiny, 7.5 mg, and I have to split them and give 3/4 of a little pill. Your little MP might do better with the suspension, it might be easier to dose and for such a little dog the cost would not be prohibitive. You guys with toy dogs luck out when it comes to meds dosed by weight!
I’ve noted no side effects for my girl. If the MP is on it long term, might be good to do periodic bloodwork as with any of the NSAIDS.
I’m glad to hear everybody’s positive experience with it too, thanks.
Thanks for all the feedback on the MetCam! We are starting it today!
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