I’ve been interested in this med, too, because of my cat, Peach, with nerve damage in her back from jumping off the counter and landing badly. She gets 2x daily gabapentin and every-other-day prednisolone to manage the pain, but her vet suggested this may work better.
But he did say that while they haven’t received any yet, they expect it to be wildly expensive. 
I saw that in the UK it is currently about $100 US a monthly dose. But considering how cranky and snappish cats and dogs with OA can be it seems well worth it. I’m looking forward to learning more about it.
Oh Nic. Now that he is getting comfortable he’s showing a BIG personality! Hopefully he does not blow out your older kittie’s ear drums (or yours!) with his powerful meows. His coat looks SO MUCH BETTER! I bet he thinks he is man of the house 
My 14 year old kitty with extreme arthritis has been on Solensia since November. Its $80 a month at my vet for the monthly injection and it has been life changing. Before Solensia we were trying gabapentin but it was really hard to dose him, and it turned him into a cat zombie. He just seemed really out of it. With Solensia, he has had no side effects and can groom himself, go up & down stairs, play with toys etc. Its like we got our cat back! It has been worth every penny.
This cat has a (deservedly) bad rep at vets. He’s fine to put in the carrier, and chill as a cucumber on the drive over, but the second he gets on the exam table, he’s a ball of rage. God help you if he sees a dog on his way in - it really unravels him. We are getting better since the monthly shot is becoming more routine to him, but I feel like the techs draw straws to see who has to work with him. We learned that it works best if I do all the handling and let them stick him in his generous haunch and we are outta there quickly as possible. Good thing he does not hold a grudge at all. The second he is back in the car he is absolutely fine, and when we get home he is purring and wants cuddles.
Nic went to the posh dentist yesterday for pre-surgery evaluation and as usual impressed everyone with his gentleness and cooperation. And me as well–no meowing on the 45 minute ride. We got complimented on how he’s holding his weight. He left with an extra dose of Dr. Happy and meow the zoomies this morning were dialed to 11. Run laps, kill the hall runner, up and down the cat tree, more laps. Waiting for a delivery from the compounding pharmacy so I can keep him on painkillers until his May 10 surgery…
Surgeon became interested in veterinary dentistry when she was at Davis and her own horse had a perplexing dental issue. We both have the same eyeglass frames. Blue leopard goes with everything.
He’s not getting spoiled or anything but he got to eat dinner on top of the table tonight. His job is to distract me; I have scheduled the date for Old Lady Cat (21 yrs) to be free next week, if she lasts that long.
Best regards from Nic to all the Nickies.
What a sweet and wonderful distraction he must be. I’m sorry your time with your little old lady is coming to an end.
You have obviously done something right to have had her that long! Lots of memories to cherish.
I hope she does well until her appointment. Many hugs for you. Give her and Nic a treat from me and Snickers.
((((hugs))))
My 18yo has been on Solensia since before Christmas. The vet-tech appointments for the monthly injections are $75. She is doing really well on it.
I hope that is all my Velvet is doing. I think that with her it is partly/mainly old age (she is 18); I don’t think it is pain. She doesn’t seem to be in any pain. She just WANTS. Food. Or food. Or a different food than what I’ve just served. Or for me to hurry and sit down so she can get in my lap. Or just me (which makes me feel very happy even when it gets on my nerves).
Our new nextdoor neighbor has been here for a few weeks now and hasn’t complained – thank goodness, I was terrified she would (it’s an apartment building).
It comforts me to know my kitty isn’t the only Mouth on Wheels in catdom.
That’s Snickers. Very vocal now and not at all shy letting me know she wants something. 
She is getting Solencia though. She got her second injection a couple of weeks ago. That night she was up on the cat tree for the first time in a long time.
The next day she was up on the big table on the back porch, bird watching. I can’t even remember when I saw her up there last.
Still vocal, but feeling much better!
I think he oddly enjoys car rides. He was a great furry co-pilot on his trek up north. I’m glad he was able to spend some time with OLC before she crosses the rainbow bridge. She is probably thinking that you are out of your mind for bringing a drooly meowbox on wheels into the home, but she knows you are in good hands since he is such a love. Hugs to you and the tortie (and Nic of course, but that goes without saying).
Here he is sleeping post zoomies and Tiki Cat brekkers. Note the destruction of the cardboard scratcher. He has plenty of toys, most of them new,
yet the preferred toy is a bit of baling twine with a turkey feather tied to it.
That’s like buying them something fancy and they want the box or bag it came in.
It’s so good to hear Nic is doing so well!
I’m so sorry about Old Lady Cat - but like @rubygirl1968 said, you must have done something right to have had her for that long. Hugs to you and her (and Nic!).
True that. The other big draw is a sheet of newspaper. Throw that on the floor and look out.
OLC has lived so long because she has done nothing but look beautiful and be very very sweet. She even purrs at the vet.
Oh lord, someday I may have a normal animal.
I had a barn-cat-turned-housecat who thought the Best Toy Ever was the cap off any sort of 2-liter bottle. I suspect you have a good supply of baling twine, so good on Nic for making it easy for you.
Sorry to hear you are preparing to lose a friend. While 21 years is a great life, but somehow its never enough. 
21 years! That’s amazing! Clearly you did something right. And I’m sorry it’s her time.
Mr Nic’s personality seems to be emerging. His antics make me laugh.
Hello, Friends of Nic. It’s official. He is now completely toothless. Surgery went very well. Lots of photos pre- and post-op, and Lots of tongue ulcerations, poor guy. Some resorption issues from his past on the streets. CBCT scans too; they almost look like artwork except for the anesthesia tube. He’s now on Zorbium, a transdermal form of Bup that lasts for 4 days. Then will start Bup again.
Surgery hasn’t lessened his appetite. Ate double Tiki Cat Mousse last night and double brekkers this morning. Weighs in at a hefty 12 lbs.
This may sound odd (I am a cat lady after all) but I think his purring, always present unless he’s meowing, has gotten louder. At the moment he’s on his morning perch, waiting for the squirrels to show up.
He is the most darling, sweetest cat and it is worth every penny to see him so comfy.
He didn’t meow like hell this morning, so I wonder if all that yowling was pain.I’m so glad it went well and they’re making sure he’s not in pain. Time will tell if some of his behavior and vocalizations were pain related.
Give that sweet boy a hug from me when he feels better.
I was just thinking about Nic the other day. Thank you for this great update!
Toothless and Flawless! Nic is so stoic to remain so sweet through all that pain.
Milo, my just-turned 5 y/o, was diagnosed with a feline odontoclastic resorptive lesion yesterday. Poor dear is very sensitive to it - he’s stopped playing with toys and will yeowl in pain if something touches that side of his mouth and hides under the bed. Compared to the years of pain Nic dealt with and was friendly and chipper though it all - he was one tuff boy! Milo on the other hand is just a sensitive spoiled boy who has never known a day of hardship in his plump & fluffy life.
I’m so glad that Nic is in your care and that he hopefully gets many, many years of pain-free living. What a year 2023 has been for him!
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