Last October my GSD 9yrs old went to the vet with some stiff joints and was prescribed Metacam.
She had some arthritis in one hip joint and one knee. Nothing that stoped her running about and chasing rabbits, cats etc.I thought it might help the pain and give her a better quality of life.
On the 28/11 she had a major stroke and died in my wifes arms !
Have any of you had or heard of something like this before?
I ask this now as I have still not got over loosing my best friend and just found a web site that might shed some light onto this drug.
I know it might be a genuine coincidence but I have my doubts
Many thanks
H.B.

Hi
I don't have any info on metacam (know loads of dogs on it long term though) but I just wanted to say how sorry I was to hear about your dog. Hope you find some peace soon & are able to focus on the good memories
x

Very sorry to hear about your dog HD :(

Heres a link with some info on Metacam.

http://www.dodgerslist.com/lit/drugs.html#metacam

Firstly I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your dog :(.

My dog takes Metacam for mild hip dysplacia and has been taking it for well over a year now with no adverse side effects. 

I'm really sorry to hear about your dog.
I think you're right to suspect metacam.

Whilst it's true that it works for some dogs, others, especially larger breeds, can be very sensitive to Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory drugs, such as Metacam, Rimadyl and Carprofen.

Very sorry about your dog HB :(

Did you discuss the possible reasons for her stroke with your Vet?

I've used Metacam on a short term basis in the past for ligament strains and on one temporary occasion for HD.

My current Vet prescribed this drug for my dog last November after he twisted his leg and was in quite a bit of pain. But she did emphasise that it was only to be used on a temporary basis for short term relief.

How long did your Vet prescribe Metacam for with your dog?

You asked about the VET Hairy pooch
We need a new one.
Were told Holly was on Metacam for the rest of her life.
These things happen is the reply we had.
When she died the Wife & I took her to the vet for cremation .
We had to put her in 2 plastic bags and then place her in the freezer as there was no one else available !
This is the last image of our HOLLY we have
40kg of loving GS in 2 yellow plastic bin bags in a small freezer

SORRY FOLKS but that is what happend.I bet there are some wet eyes out there.Mine are.! Just reliving it again.
Replys from me are a bit slow as every time I log off this site it will not accept my password and I keep having to request another.If the web master reads this please help this HAIRY BEAR.
 

HairyBear, I'm sorry to hear about your last memories of your dog.  That was a very unfortunate situation and I can understand if you feel you want to change vet because of it.  I hope that in time the bad memories will fade and your mind will dwell on happier times spent with her.

Metacam can also be prescribed on a long-term basis for chronic conditions such as arthritis, though one should always use the minimum amount of any drug that will still have the desired effect.  If it is prescribed following an injury, from which the dog is expected to recover completely, it would only be prescribed (carefully) in the short-term.

How terrible for you HB :( :(

I can understand your need for a new Vet.

My new Vet isn't a great advocate of using some medication on a long term basis. That is why she is my new Vet, unlike all the other Vets I have had to use in the past, she thinks outside the box.

Of course with any medication there are risks and we have to weigh up the pro's and con's of it all. Life is one long learning process, many lessons in which I wish I'd never been taught.

Very pleased for you about the new pup ;) You're going to have great fun and many years of love and devotion, it won't take away your pain, but will dull it somewhat....enjoy :)

I am sorry to hear about your GSD.  It is probably of little comfort to you at the moment that her suffering was not prolonged and that she did not die alone.

I know quite a few people who have used Metacam without a problem but there is always a risk with any medication.

There seems to be much more reported about adverse reactions to Rimadyl, which I researched when one of my dogs died but I doubt very much there was a connection in his case.

I am sorry for your loss.

Many thanks to you all for replying.
Its nice to know that some dogs are helped by Metacam
Our Holly was like a 2yr old after her first week on it.Running about and wanting to play .She was taken from us so suddenly, all over in just a few hours.
Again many thanks and this is a great web site.
I only found it by accident while looking for a GSD breeder .
Have now bought a pup from a breeder off this site will be getting her end of Feb so have lots to look forward to.
H.B

Hi
I,ve been reading about your Holly and first of all I,m really sorry to hear about the awful experience you had with her ,I,m sure your new pup will help you at this sad tiime there really is nothing like a puppy for keeping you busy .
I just wanted to say I had a GSD bitch who started taking Metacam at nine years old for arthritis and when she died she was almost twelve, all she time she took Metacam she never seemed to have any adverse reaction to it she always had a wonderful appetite and no problems with sickness or bowel movements.
I have her daughter and she took Metacam for a month after she badly sprained a ligament chasing a rabbit down a hole, this dog was also fine on Metacam .
Good luck with your new baby hope we see some piccys of her, what are you going to call her?
Sharon

Hi Sharon
The name of pup is Jasmine .JAZZY for short.
If I new how to do it you would be looking at a medium/long coat black/tan/sable 5wk old with paws the same size as our Holly at 20wks.
We had the pick of the litter and she just kept looking at me ! (NO COMMENTS PLEASE AS I AM 40+ AND NO OIL PAINTING )
We are going to visit her again on sat but are unable to take her yet as we are due to go on holiday in 12 days time.
H.B

To be honest if it did ease her life then I wouldn't be questioning it too much.  I lost one of mine last week at 6 days short of 11 years old, she just died suddenly, had not been unwel, and was as fit as a flea and showing no signs of age yet.  So who is to say she owudl have lived longer, but with more pain without the metqacam.  From what I can ascertain it is one of the better NSAID's, and no where near the adverse reactions to Rimadyl.  Have known many dogs with arthritis that have had it long term.

I agree, Brainless, it is the quality of life that is important.  It's natural that we want them to be around for a long time but old age and infirmity is not a kind time for dogs.  Better that they have a lively, active time doing the things that make their lives a joy to them than to eek it along with aches and stiffness for our sake but if pharmaceutical drugs can lengthen that time for us then I feel it is worth trying for it.

So sorry to hear about your loss, I think sometimes these things just happen & you can never really know the cause or the reason.
I had a bitch who was prescribed Metacam for arthritis, it made a wonderful difference to her life. She was on it for (I think) 18months- 2yrs before I had to make that difficult final decision when she was 16 1/2 yrs. Totally agree with Brainless & Isabel, if something like Metacam hadn't been available for Lucy, I would have had to make the decision much earlier as without Metacam, walking was just too painful for her.

The Wife & I totally agree  with you the dogs quality of life comes first
Nothing else matters
H.B.