Vet confusion. (metacam)

[Sunny1]

Hello,

I'm receiving conflicting advice from vets regarding metacam so wondered if anyone here can shed some light on the matter!

Long story but I will condense and be brief. My piggy was referred to a specialist vet who prescribed dog meloxicam ( this contains 1.5mg per ml) at 0.4ml per day. I have returned to my regular vet and asked for a repeat prescription of this only to be told due to "red tape" they can't prescribe this. They say by law he can only be prescribed cat meloxicam (this contains 0.5mg per ml) and is only allowed 0.6ml of this much weaker medication a day, though my vet only wants him on 0.4ml of this strength really. She has seen the specialists notes on him but is adement about this. I am tearing my hair out! Was the specialists prescription "illegal" or is my vet incorrect?! Despite seeing numerous vets with his ailments I feel really in the dark.

 

[VickiA]

It depends what is has been prescribed for.

Strictly speaking until last year Metacam wasn’t “licensed” for piggies. Very few medications were. This meant that almost all medications were “off licence”. Not illegal. Just “off licence”. Since last year Cat Metacam has been licensed in piggies but only, and I quote from the literature

“for the alleviation of mild to moderate post-operative pain associated with soft tissue surgery in guinea pigs”.

Metacam is the first NSAID to be licensed for use in guinea pigs, and with it come the first guidelines for appropriate pain relief in this species.”

Prescribing of dog Metacam is still permissible where you are prescribed it for non soft tissue surgery. But not all vets will agree to this. It depends upon their prescribing policies. This is due to prescriber liability. Some vets consider that as cat Metacam is now licensed for some conditions they will prescribe it for all to reduce the number of medications they are prescribing and administering “off licence”.

Does your piggy need a repeat prescription? If so, could you ask the original vets who prescribed it to give you a repeat prescription rather than your own vets if they are reluctant to prescribe the dog Metacam.

 

[Sunny1]

Thank you for your reply! He has been prescribed it as he has joint swelling which is believed to be arthritis. So it's not for post surgery and will be a long term medication. I want him to be on the most appropriate medication obviously, it's just all very confusing though.

 

[Veggies Galore]

Brilliant response from Vicki A.

my vet has prescribed dog Metacam at a dosage of 0.4mg per kg for several of my guinea pigs over the years

 

[YvonneBlue]

Our vet prescribes dog metacam for Mavis who has a mass in her bladder. They are happy to prescribe it but I have to sign a release form as it is not licensed for guinea pigs.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Different vets practices have different policies. Mine prefers to prescribe cat metacam as it's licenced even though they often prescribe it for what it's not licenced for. Whereas the specialist I use will prescribe dog metacam which I much prefer. I think the vet you have seen is probably trying to follow practice guidance but if they aren't willing to budge on it I would go back to the specialist

 

[Emx93]

I have this exact problem with princess' metacam! When we adopted her she was on 0.4 dog metacam once or twice a day, we took adoption notes to our vets (who have an exotic piggy savvy vet) and got her history transferred over but they will still only give us cat metacam due to licencing! Initially they put her on 0.2ml of cat metacam once a day they then upped it to 0.4ml once a day and then when I said she was hobbling a bit and is on a lot less than she was told me I could give her the cat metacam equivalent of what she was on before so I do, the official directions still say 0.4mll but I give her 0.6 twice a day as I find she does amazing on this dose, I'm sure if you speak to them they will up her cat metacam even if they don't give you dog metacam xx

 

[Sunny1]

Thank you all so much for your replies, I really do appreciate it! Been a great help.

 

[Betsy]

I have registered my piggies at a new Vets4Pets and had a word with Rachel the Vet who used to work at my old Vets4Pets where I used to live. She said that legally they have to prescribe Cat Metacam and when it doesn't work then they can move on to Dog Metacam. I am a bit concerned by this as Christian is on long term Metacam (0.7ml twice a day) for his bad back which has been diagnosed as arthritis. I have kept his old prescription to take with me when he needs some more.