My oldest cat of 15 has had a thyroid problem and kidney problem since the age of 9 and has took tablets daily for this and she i fine and doing fine. My problem is she has started to show signs of rheumatism/arthritis.

First time was a month ago and the vet put her on a small dose of metacam (I wasn't sure if she had banged her leg or it was rheumatism/arthritis) and I was told to keep her in for a week which I did and she became completely better again.

Until a few days ago and she has started walking to the side again and seems stiff always after napping. I decided to look for supplements on the net and then was alarmed when I kept seeing that metcam was harmful, though she has had it several times in her life and has always been perfectly fine. I asked my vet about it and she said any medication with my cat is a risk because of her kidney problems but metacam in a small dose 2.5ml is fine and will take her pain away. She said there is no other alternative.

So here are my questions:

Are there alternative medication I can give her?

How many types of rheumatism/arthritis are there and how would they go about diagnosing that?

Is there any natural supplemnets which would help her?
Thanks in advance.

Hi there

I understand that there isn't a safe pain relief for cats, especially ones with kidney problems, but there are supplements you can give. My own cat was on Metacam for 3 months and it gave him sickness and a problem with his pancreas. He was on it to manage his arthritis. He has now been taken off of the metacam and I use Denes green mussel and glucosamine powder added to his wet food and he has a small amount of Royal canin feline mobility dry food each day. He also has 1 salmon oil capsule a week. The supplements take a little while to take affect but he is still able to jump and doesn't appear to be in any pain. He stretches quite a lot as his joints get stiff when he has been asleep for a while but over all I'm very pleased with the supplements. My vet has said he can't have metacam and that this is the best way to manage his condition. I'd definately give this a try or talk to your vet about it. My vet spoke to a feline specialist and she recommended the royal canin, I picked up the other supplements from other people on this site.

Yes I agree with the above. I use Vitamin c as sodium ascorbate, fish oil and glucosamine for my Nellie. She also loves her Flectabed. The GLM made her barf, but that is probably just her!

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Nellie Paddy Mitzy Milo Peggy Murphy

Millie and Monty, the White Devils!

Thanks ever so much! Can you get Denes green mussel and glucosamine in liquid form, as she has a dry specific diet because of her kidneys and it would be helpful just to put a drop into her mouth perhaps or onto her dry food?

How are her kidney values now? Not sure exactly what the problem was ( normal CRF ) or something more acute. She had bloodwork run before being prescribed the metacam?

Considering the kidney problem I'm surprised your vet has endorsed the metacam-most don't in these circumstances. I realise the dose is small but nevertheless I think you're wise to look to alternatives-personally I wouldn't take the risk. In fact I don't permt allow it for any of my cats at all none of whom ( touch wood! ) have any renal problems at all!

Some people have had good results with homeopathic remedies and also acupuncture though it largely depends on the cat.

Good luck with finding a good medication.

Flectabed Thermal Bedding - now with 20% off-Hyperdrug
I really would recommend Flectabed, especially as you say she looks stiff after snoozes. I have 2 and the cats fight over them, may have to invest in a couple more in fact!
I do think it is a balancing act.....after reading about Metacam I do not feel that it is something I want Nellie to be on...but if she had not improved substantially on her supplemements then I would have re-considered as I believe quality of life is important and I would not want her to be in constant pain.
Someone else did post here once about an injectable form of glucosamine which they gave a good report of...

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Nellie Paddy Mitzy Milo Peggy Murphy

Millie and Monty, the White Devils!

Sorry hadn't seen your last response when I replied earlier!

Which renal diet is she on? In view of kidney problems with the consequent need to keep the them well hydrated it would be better if she were on a wet diet. In fact in some instances dry diets can exascerbate the problem and in others have been implicated in causing it. There are wet versions of renal available but perhaps you've tried these already and she didn't like them.

You could even switch her back on the normal food she likes and add phosphorous binders if necessary.

I'm not aware that they do a liquid formula of the Denes but you could google it and check. Or you could mix the powder with a small amount of wet food just to get the dose into her - either a wet renal food or a little bit of tuna, sardine, moist chicken or something she likes. Sometimes mixing with the spring water from a tin of tuna works too.

Her bloods are fine we have her checked every few weeks. I will look into the homeopathic treatments.

She has been on the prescription diet of K/D feline cat biscuits for the past 6 years. I will give her some wet food if need be to administer the powder.

ooh 20% off too! thanks.

Thanks I will probably have to give her a small treat like you suggested to give her the powder.