Long-term Metacam Dosage

[Aryank84]

Hi,

I found out Cheese has arthritis in her spine last week. She has been on 0.5ml twice daily of Metacam (dog one) for the last week. We went back to the vet today and he recommended to carry on with this for the next 4 weeks. I've seen some posts on here and it seems that a lot of pigs are on 0.2-0.4ml. Does 0.5ml seem too much? She weighs around 1kg. I'm going away at the end of the week for 3 weeks and I just want to make sure I'm doing as much as I can for her before I go as I'm really worried she'll go downhill while I'm gone. Would anyone recommend lowering the dose or should I do what the vet says?
She doesn't seem to be in much pain except when I pick her up sometimes she does a dqueak. She's running and eating as normal although she does seem a bit quieter since she started on the Metacam, just not as energetic and mischievous as usual.

At the beginning of the year I noticed one of my 3 pigs was weeing blood. It took me about 4 months to work out which one it was as they were all absolutely fine in every other way. As soon as I found out which one it was, she went to the vet and was put on Metacam. She took this daily for around 4 weeks, with some other medicines, but went downhill from there and eventually died. At the time I was certain it was because of the medicine which is why I'm worried about Cheese being on it at such a high dose for so long. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Aryan x

 

[helen105281]

I have one pig on long term Metacam and they are on a lower dose at 0.2ml twice a day but I think it depends on the pig and I know some exotics vets do favour higher doses. I would carry on with what your vet has suggested, though they may be intending to lower the dose after the 4 weeks. It is quality of life that is important though rather than quantity and if it keeps her comfortable she may need to stay on the higher dose. I haven't noticed any of mine being lethargic on Metacam. Could it be more a pain response?

 

[Aryank84]

Thanks for replying so quickly Helen. I never thought about her being quiet because she's in pain, but that makes sense. Makes me sad though. I'll stick to the given dosage for now and maybe it will get reduced when I see them next.

 

[Laura mason]

My piggie has spinal damage and arthritis in his back legs...he kind of drags them, one in particular. The vet only has him on 0.2 once a day. I'm not sure this is enough. I give it in the morning and by night he doesn't seem to move about too much. I'm wondering if I should ask about maybe giving him it twice a day? 0.2 once doesn't seem like much. It seems odd yours is on 0.5 twice and mine only on 0.2 once! x

 

[Gem789]

My piggie has spinal damage and arthritis in his back legs...he kind of drags them, one in particular. The vet only has him on 0.2 once a day. I'm not sure this is enough. I give it in the morning and by night he doesn't seem to move about too much. I'm wondering if I should ask about maybe giving him it twice a day? 0.2 once doesn't seem like much. It seems odd yours is on 0.5 twice and mine only on 0.2 once! x

My Sam was on 0.25ml twice a day for very bad arthritis and before that he was on a lower dose and when the vets upped the dosage he was much more lively so it may be worth asking your vet about giving it twice a day xx

 

[Aryank84]

I think it's going to be a trial and error thing. I'm tempted to reduce the dosage and work up to the higher dose if needed. It's so hard, especially with me leaving her for 3 weeks. I want to make sure I'm doing right by her.

Also, she's always had saw dust as bedding, but I've just read a little bit about people using vetbed, which I've never heard of before. Is saw dust ok? She loves having a little dig around in it.

 

[Laura mason]

My Sam was on 0.25ml twice a day for very bad arthritis and before that he was on a lower dose and when the vets upped the dosage he was much more lively so it may be worth asking your vet about giving it twice a day xx

Thanks for your reply . Yeah I think I will ask. I definitely notice a difference to him in the morning after his pain relief to night time. Would hate to think he is in pain x

 

[DM030819]

0.5ml twice a day is a dose that my vet has mentioned before, but that's the maximum dose.

My arthritic boar is on 0.2ml once a day, and we have the room to increase that in consulation with my vet.

She is in the mindset is less is best, as it lowers any side effect risks and gives us room to increase.

Speak to your vet to see if they are happy for you to decrease the dose to a level that the pain is still managed.

 

[pig in the city]

Hi the doses that are mentioned from 0.2ml /kg to 0.4ml/kg up to twice a day are all in the recommended therapeutic range. Some vets give low doses and build up if needed others give high doses to control pain quickly and then reduce the dose as the symptoms improve. Give your vet a call and discuss your concerns. I have several pigs on long term metacam at relatively high dosage and have had no problems with this. I hope she improves soon

 

[VickiA]

With @pig in the city - the dosages sound fine to me but we aren't qualified to advise on dosage levels - only a qualified vet can do that and only after examining your piggy. I have had piggies on long term Metacam for pain relief for arthritis and they've done fine.