The meds are keeping him in less pain but the diarrhoea is terrible..

[MedusaIsHavingaBadHairday]

The jury is still out on what is wrong.. initial bloods didn't indicate cancer but massive inflammation (tho the vet is not convinced it's not sinister). Put on ainti infammatories, antibiotics, probiotocs and something that was supposed to stop the liquid poo stream :(

He tried..but it's so bad he is squirting poo round the litter tray, missin it walking in it, and he's a long haired main coon. If the pain killers stop his bowels imrove but then he's in massive pain, so we can't, but I really don't know how long I can cope with coming home from a challenging (and poo filled !) job, to a house covered in poo :(

Any suggestions? It seems a catch 22.. he needs the meds, but with them he is pretty much incontinent :(

[cozietoesie]

Have you discussed this in depth with the vet? What did they say?

And how long has this been going on for?

[VeganCow]

Is he on Metacam or loxicom?? If so, speak to your vet immediately, dont want to alarm you but this drug can kill cats.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Where are you with the diagnostic process apart from bloods?
If it is metacam you are using it would seem an unusual choice for a diarrhoea case.
Yes there a few cats who have died after taking metacam, but actually this is true of nearly every medication on the market. As with every drug prescription is a risk:benefit balance.

[cozietoesie]

Pretty well all drugs can kill - animals or humans - if they're administered inappropriately or carelessly. I'm not sure what your (referenced) problem is with meloxicam if it's being administered correctly and under veterinary supervision?

I do agree that the OP should speak to her vet about this though.

[cozietoesie]

Sorry - x post.

[ballsballsballs]

My late boy was on Metacam and it didn't kill him - the cancer did.

He also suffered from the runs. I'd suggest going back to your vet about it. J was prescribed something that I put on his food every day (can't remember name, sorry) that stopped them.

Big hugs x

[MedusaIsHavingaBadHairday]

No he's on Onsior (anti inflammatories) Antirobe (anti biotics) Symbiotic and a bung him up paste (which isn't working)

He has always had a very sensitive tum.. even a change of dried food gives him the runs (he is ok on Felix in jelly and Iams or Science Plan dry) and anything 'nice' like tuna gives him the trots too:( It's the Onsior that the vet said was most likely giving him the runs.

He has finished them tonight, but the likelihood is his pain will return (he is still limping anyway but he has been more cheerful on them and has actually 'chirped' at me for food which he hasn't for a LONG time.

I just want him to be pain free and not decorating my house with poo :/

[Lonecatwithkitten]

There is emerging evidence that onsior maybe worse for gut problems that meloxicam. A recent study showed this, but it is slow to seep out as the manufacturers of onsior are not rushing to tell everyone.
Also Onsior is only licenced for 7 days in cats so hopefully you have had an off licence discussion.

[VeganCow]

I HATE meloxicam with a passion.
I am convinced it killed my cat. he was only 6

Try getting a vet or the makers of the drug itself to agree though. One person battle, even though the evidence is out there. In fact, the drug inserts even warned against use in cats in USA at one point.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Vegan I am not denying it can kill in certain situations. The insert in USA was because they were using dog metacam at dog dose rates in cats. The advised rates for cats have always been much lower.
However, all drugs can be potentially fatal in some individuals.
Your vet at the time should have filled in a suspected adverse reaction from and sent it to the veterinary medicines directorate who hold and independent register of all suspected adverse reactions if they breach a trigger level they demand the company investigates.

[VeganCow]

Lonecat, that did happen. Also the makers of the drug spoke to me and registered the situation. But the vets still didn't agree with my view that the drug caused his death, they were reluctant to even give a cause of death, in fact refused.
My cat became ill 2 weeks after the last dose of Meloxicam ( given for struvite crystals which disappeared with diet change)with no other symptoms in between. Just out of the blue collapsed.
I know it was the drug and will never give it to my dog or two cats again unless they are at deaths door without it.
Lonecat are you a vet? If you are do you mind answering a question please? Do you think it's possible that if a cat dies from Meloxicam that the collapse and eventual death can occur 14 days after the last dose? Cases I have read about have been within days of taking the drug, not 2 weeks after?

[Lonecatwithkitten]

I am a vet. I would not rule Meloxicam out as a cause, however, we do see a reasonable number of young and middle aged cats who have cardiomyopathy and suffer a sudden death.
Blood tests would have increased the index of suspicion for Meloxicam being involved in the death as evidence of acute renal failure would have been present.
The incidence of acute renal failure after use of meloxicam is very, very low, but it exists and it is on the datasheet. Any use in animals with any urinary involvement should include a risk benefit discussion with the owner.
Usually acute renal failure does present itself within a very short time of the toxic insult, ingestion of lilies and anti freeze causes the samething.
A cat who was clinically well for 2 weeks after the last dose and then collapsed and died it is less likely, but without blood tests or a post mortem it is very difficult to say. Again without these tests it would be inappropriate to give a defintive cause of death though I give a most likely scenario to clients.
So yes it is possible and from what you say the manufacturers have acknowledged and registered this, but there are quite a few other things that could also cause this.
I can not think of a drug I use that is totally without risk I have seen dogs have anaphlactic reactions to antibiotics, swelling after vaccination, skin sloughing with thyroid medication, hair loss with medication for urinary incontinence all kinds of things.

[VeganCow]

Thank you Lonecat.
Blood tests were taken, I have the results sheet.
Apparently the results did not scream renal, unfortunately I do not know what I am looking for (would you be able to hazard a guess if I could PM you?)
The vet who treated my cat at the emergency hospital said possible undiagnosed heart condition, blood clot, or possible renal failure. He was tested for FIV etc, negative, no urine crystals were found.
My own vet when I took the blood tests to show him said they were inconclusive.
This was back in January and I go over and over it in my head, wishing I had answers.
He was an absolutely beautiful, intelligent cat who really loved life, a character.
its bad enough he is gone.. but I cannot get out of my mind the thought that because I gave him Metacam for a stupid bladder infection (caused by the struvite crystals that I eradicated with change of diet anyway!) I in a way caused his death.
I wish I had an idea

[Lonecatwithkitten]

You can PM me the important numbers are BUN (urea), creatinine and phosphate I need the normals as well as your cats number. Also interesting are platelets, HCT/PCV, sodium (Na) and Potassium (K).

[VeganCow]

Thanks so much Lonecat. Have PM'd you.