Dog Community

Metacam?

Posted : 8/4/2009 9:59:07 AM

What is Metacam? Is it fairly harmless? Nikon has been limping on and off for about 2 months. Honestly I don't think he's limping anymore. When I showed it to the breeder, that was over a week ago. She then went to Germany with some dogs and told her friend (who stays in her home to take care of the dogs) to give me some Metacam for Nikon to help with the limp. However since she's been gone, I think the limp is basically gone. I showed Nikon several times this weekend and saw no limp, no problems with his gait and the judges sure didn't say anything (they will excuse a limping dog). So I have this Metacam but am thinking of just giving it back. The other problem is I don't know the dosage b/c the breeder's friend didn't know, and the person who does know left early without saying goodbye so I didn't have the chance to have him show me. Is it worth pursuing or should I give it back?

FWIW, I took Nikon to my vet to look at the limp. She pulled and stretched him all over and he didn't notice one bit. Even when the limp was bad, he was still running and playing. My guess is that it's not pano, but some soreness or pulled something from how hard he works and plays (he often trips or slides when he's fetching). The limp was in the left hip. His hips were prelimed at 7 months.

erica1989

Posted : 8/4/2009 10:28:24 AM

It's a pain reliever. I know a few vets that rx is after surgery - but I rarely give it. I'd skip it, if it was me.

calliecritturs

Posted : 8/4/2009 6:32:29 PM

Metacam (meloxicam) is an nsaid (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) -- similar to aspirin, Rimadyl (carprophen), Deramaxx (Deracoxib), Previcox (firocoxib) that relieve inflammaton and thereby relieve pain.

i.e., if I can make this sound logical -- there's a difference in "pain-relief" between something that simply blocks pain (kinda makes your brain believe you don't hurt -- which is what acetaminaphen/Tylenol stuff does for humans **but DO NOT give Tylenol to dogs - it's poison**) and something that relieves the inflammation that *causes* the pain so the point being that if you relieve the inflammation the pain will go away.

nsaids tend to be cumulative -- that's why usually they give them for a period of time -- days or even weeks so it builds on itself to continue to reduce that inflammation.

BUT **ALL** NSAIDS cause stomach bleeding. Yes, all of them ... they tend to be hard on one or all of the stomach, liver, kidneys. So the point is you minimize the length of time they have to be on them as much as possible and IF a dog has to be on it longer term, you use something like milk thistle (silymarin) to protect the liver/kidneys as much as possible. (even short term that's a good idea)

Metacam is no worse and really no better than most of them. It's one of the ones in favor right now. But if there is some real inflammation then it might help, but probably crate rest will do more.

Liesje

Posted : 8/4/2009 6:38:35 PM

Thanks, that's what I was wondering, if it just blocks pain or if it actually helps heal. Maybe I'm a meanie but I think I'd rather have a dog show signs of pain so I know what is too much, than have pain be blocked and causing further injury by assuming the dog is fine. I think I will just give it back. I'm familiar with joint inflammation as I have it myself and I know that when I have a "bad" day my joint hurts to the touch even if it's not visibly injured or swollen. In Nikon's case, the vet stretch and pinched and pushed all over, trying to find out exactly where the problem was and he never once flinched or gave any indication for us.

Since the Germans a-stamp at 12 months, I'm trying to hold off x-raying the hips again until Sept. since at that point I can send them in for his a-stamp. The prelims gave no reason to suspect any structural problems.

brookcove

Posted : 8/4/2009 7:37:45 PM

Sounds like he had a little owie and the Metacam just relieved any slight inflammation, which does assist healing in the case of a muscle pull or smooshed soft tissue. Bone repair, by the way, requires inflammation, just FYI - don't ever give even "natural" anti-inflammatories (like willow bark) to a dog with a bone injury. Also stay away from shark cartilage. Doggone Pain is awesome for those little owies that youngsters get while horsing around (it has shark cartilage in it, hence my warning about that). I've got Sammie on level II Glyco Flex because he hurls himself around like a wild thing during play and it offers nutrients to repair any bruises or stretches. ;)