What do you recommend as an alternative?

Fro this kitty? I don't know.

There really aren't any safe NSAIDS for cats, unfortunately. There are narcotic pain killers, buprenex, tramadol, and torbugesic but they aren't really meant for long term use.

If the metacam was prescribed for inflammation in this case, perhaps a steroid would be a better choice, though I know they have side affects too. But the risk of acute kidney failure with metacam use in cats is very high.

I am not a vet, and have not had a cat with these problems described in this thread, but I would not allow the use of metacam for my cat in these, or any circumstances. I would most definitely choose steroid over metacam.

My little Bridge Angel suffered with arthritis pain for her last few years, and she did have tramadol for the really bad days, but it drugged her so, I didn't like to use it. If only laser therapy had been available then, or even if adequan injections were sub q then, but neither option was available at that time for her. She took cosequin of course and it helped her for many years, but eventually the arthritis went beyond what the cosequin could help with.

I massaged her several times a day, to ease stiffness and increase circulation, she had a heating pad to sleep on when I was home, and a cushy self warming bed next to a baseboard heater. She received Reiki treatments which helped greatly with her arthritis pain. But I'm getting off topic, as arthritis is not this kitty's problem.

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http://www.declawing.com/htmls/declawing.htm

I took my cat to the vets on Sunday, she has gingivitis. The vet gave her an antibiotic injection and a painkiller injection. He gave me a 3ml bottle of oral Metacam to put on her food. I have been using daily since Monday.

Should I be concerned ?

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Cookie - I really wouldn't worry about using it. It's licensed over here and regularly used following ops/treatment. It works brilliantly and is convenient as you can add to food.
Use if for as long as its been prescribed for, its just very long term usage that can be dangerous - and even then I don't think it should be ruled out. I've seen many patients on long term metacam for various conditions. I have however, seen kidney damage from misuse of it - this occurred in cases that were double dosed or over dosed, never from long time use with close blood monitoring.

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To 'cookieandme' - no, under these circumstances, there's no cause for concern. Metacam IMHO, used/dosed correctly, is an excellent drug for pain relief short term.

With regards to long term use, I'll be watching this thread with interest.

To the OP - I have no advice re: long term Metacam use. I just know from my own personal experience that pancreatitis (acute in my case) is very painful.

I'm not sure, you may have already read this? Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Pancreatitis

Best wishes to Pyrrah

Dont know if this is of interest its a FDA News letter for Veterinarians in the states, about NSAIDs including for Cats.

What Veterinarians Should Tell Clients About Pain Control and Their Pets

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