sherik
Going Natural
Posts: 105
|
Post by sherik on Dec 23, 2010 23:24:38 GMT -5
My vet gave me meloxicam(metacam) for Sidney's pain after surgery. He got some yesterday and tuesday. I never gave him any today. I am too afraid to. I read about some of the nasty side effects, like causing acute renal failure. Has anyone have to give their ferrets this stuff before? Is there something safer for Sid?
|
|
|
Post by Jackie on Dec 23, 2010 23:30:55 GMT -5
After Pixie had a blockage, my vet prescribed her metacam for pain. It definitely seemed to help her pain. I didn't know it had so many negative side effects.
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Dec 24, 2010 0:54:13 GMT -5
I lost my Pandora after administering metacam. Now, a caveat....there were other issues (botched adrenal surgery) and I don't know if the metacam was to blame, partially to blame or even came into play. She had a terrible time coming out of the anesthetic but was sent home anyway. I didn't want to give her the metacam and phoned the vet office for advice and reassurance as she was just coming out of the anesthetic and appeared to be in pain. They told me to stop being irresponsible and to follow the vet's orders. She was dead within the hour. There are some horrid side-effects and many will look to alternatives, that being said making an animal deal with pain is sometimes more stressful than the medication. I've attached a site, now it's for cats and cats shouldn't get metacam. The side effects are the same though. It adds that on another site that metacam should never be given to the elderly who suffer from liver or kidney problems, anemia or any cancers. www.metacamkills.com/I would continue to research this product before relying heavily on it but that's up to you. I requested an alternative for Mad Max after his mouth surgery a few years ago ciao
|
|
sherik
Going Natural
Posts: 105
|
Post by sherik on Dec 24, 2010 1:12:24 GMT -5
I'm going to call the vet in the morning and ask for an alternative I think. Am I a bad ferrant if I don't give him the meds? I don't want to kill him with kindness. I just don't want to take that risk. He appears uncomfortable at times, like he gets a twinge or something, but doesn't appear to be in pain. He was playing like crazy tonight, but I had to stop him cause he started playing with Huck and Huck plays nasty sometimes. I don't want him popping a stitch. He is still sleeping alot though, which is probably good as you heal the best when sleeping. He's eating good, with his soupies, still can't chew, but he can bite pretty good still. So it must be the grinding motion they use when they eat that bothers him. What is an alternative that they can take?
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Dec 24, 2010 1:26:29 GMT -5
I don't remember It was over 2 yrs ago when Mad Max had his surgery. I just said that I was concerned about it and the vet I was dealing with at the time said ok and gave me something else. She did say that the nsaids were the most effective though. I have a feeling that what we used with Max was Deramaxx which according to this is the same thing as the metacam. The alternative that is suggested is great for a long term treatment (rather like using chondroitin) but doesn't deal with the pain in the here and now time frame. I think the worst of these meds is Rimadyl (spelling is probably wrong ) Here's a quote, it's for dogs but trying to find ferret specific information is very difficult. I hope this helps a bit, I hate being in the position you find yourself in right now. Do I give this and what will happen....maybe nothing and your little guy will not be in pain. : Yes both of these drugs treat the same thing. Here is a breakdown below. Deramaxx: Prescription non steriodal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) approved by the FDA. It is used to control the pain and inflammation associated with orthopedic surgery in dogs. It targets the source of arthiritis pain. It is available in 25 mg and 100mg beef flavored chewable tablets that can be added to your dogs food. The usual dose is 1.4-1.8mg per pound by mouth daily. This is a once a day dosage and should not be used by breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs. This should not be used with other tablet form anti-inflammatory medications. Metacam: Prescription NSAID. A half teaspoon of th liquid suspension once a day provides relief for 24 hours. It is honey flavored and is used to control pain, inflammation and soreness in dogs with osteoarthritis. It is available in 10ml, 32ml or 100ml dropper bottles and the usual dose is 0.1mg per pound as a single dose on the first day then 0.05mg per pound given once every 24 hours afterwards. It should not be used in the last third of pregnancy and should not be used by nursing animals. Do not administer to animals with heart, kidney or liver disease. I personally, would not use either of these medications as they may provide side effects in the long term. As an alternative to these medications, you could begin a regimen of Glucosamine & Chondroitin along with Omega-3 essential fatty acids such as Fish Oil or Evening Primrose Oil. Daily supplements such as these have shown outstanding results and have shown significant improvement in overall dog health, stamina and energy. ciao
|
|
|
Post by katt on Dec 24, 2010 5:01:33 GMT -5
Koda was on Metcam after his surgery. He did ok on it and has yet to show any side effects.Not that that means there werent some I couldn't see. I think that, as with people, the effects will vary.
|
|
|
Post by mustelidmusk on Dec 24, 2010 10:06:23 GMT -5
It has been my experience with my ferrets and many surgeries over the years that my vet gives them a big shot of metacam (I assume this is what they are given) after the surgery that covers the first 24-48 hours. Years ago, he did not send home any meds for pain. He now sends home 2 pre-loaded syringes of metacam containing about 50% of the recommended dose in each syringe. He seems to have started this in response to the consumer demand for meds. You now find articles stating that you have a bad vet if they do not provide pain med after surgery.
What I have found from my own experience with my own major surgeries is that the first 24 hours post surgery is by far the worst of the pain. I take pain meds. I take pain meds the same day I get the surgery and one dose the following morning. That's all. I don't think people do not get a big shot for post surgery pain control like they give animals - at least I have never have one.
What I have found to be true for ferrets is that my brats sleep for the rest of day they come home. They sleep quite a bit the following day as well. The big shot they get keeps them a bit groggy/slow for the first 24-48 hours. For Tomichi's adrenal surgery, I gave one dose of the oral metacam in the afternoon the day following her surgery because I figured that the med was prescribed for a reason....It just made her groggy and eat/drink less. So when I went in with Kachina for her surgery, I asked about the Metacam...my vet agrees,feels that most ferrets do better without the extra doses. But some owners feel there's a need for pain meds. I never gave Kachina any of the pain meds. (I still had Tomichi's other dose in the fridge, and my vet said I could use it if she seemed to need it. She didn't need it.
One thing to keep in mind is that a bit of pain does serve a function - it helps to keep pets from doing damage to themselves after surgery.
ANyway, that has been my experience with pain meds. I take the approach of "when in doubt, don't medicate" with pain meds.
-jennifer
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Dec 24, 2010 16:58:22 GMT -5
Sinnead had metacam for 3 days after she'd cut her tongue so badly(it was slashed half way across, and all the way through), mainly so she could continue to eat. She had no side effects(other than a wee bit drowsy) that I noticed, nor did she need it after that.
|
|
sherik
Going Natural
Posts: 105
|
Post by sherik on Dec 24, 2010 18:42:07 GMT -5
I am not going to use anymore pain meds for Sid. He is playing great and eating good. I put him back in with his cagemates today as he seemed lonely. His incision looks good *touch wood* and his stitches come out wednesday. Thanks for all the input
|
|