Should I take my arthritic dog off Metacam to speed healing?

Metacam is similar to ibuprofen or naproxen and has both anti-inflammatory and pain relief properties. In general I feel like drugs in this class work better for arthritis than medications that only treat pain like tramadol. Each dog is different, and some dogs need multiple medications to relieve the pain associated with arthritis.

Hello. You can wean her off the pred onto the Metacam , or you can add additional pain medications such as tramadol or gabapentin. I, personally do not like long-term prednisone because of the possibility of side effects, but even Metacam can cause some issues. Regardless of what you & your veterinarian choose for Sydney, make sure periodic blood work is run to pick up any early signs of problems. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If well-tolerated, the Metacam should not shorten her lifetime. I would recommend you continue to monitor the bloodwork closely to make sure that it is being well tolerated in which case it should not affect her life expectancy. Best of luck!

Metacam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication that will relieve pain and inflammation. It could take a week or so before she is all the way better. If she isn't improving than she should be rechecked by your vet for additional diagnostics. Your vet can take an x-ray to look for abnormalities.

I am sorry to hear about Tasha! Many dogs take NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) long term with no negative consequences. It is the rare case where the liver or kidney may be affected or the GI tract experiences upset. This is why we recommend blood work to monitor every 6 to 12 months when pets take the medicine long term, and often the effects are reversible. If your dog is in pain, I would follow your vet's advice and use the medication. There are other NSAIDs also available, a newer one called Galliprant is supposed to have less risks though it hasn't been used as long, so we don't know for certain if those claims are true. Other options also include omega fatty acid supplements, glucosamine chondroitin supplements, Adequan injections, acupuncture and laser therapy, so you can ask your vet about these options as well if you decide to take a different route.

Actually, it is the Tramadol that, in dogs who are prone to seizures, can cause seizures. Metacam is an NSAID, and does not usually cause seizures. You should consult with your veterinarian whether Metacam is suitable for your dog (it should not be given to dogs with kidney issues, for example) and if so for a proper dosage. Please do not just stop giving Tramadol and start Metacam out of your own account.

No, I would not give this to Dixie. It may be the incorrect dose for her, and you can accidentally do harm to her by giving her it. I would have her seen by a vet first thing Monday. Until then, I would rest her and keep her as quiet as possible. You can give her glucosamine and chondrotin sulfate supplements which help with joint problems such as arthritis.