Metacam?

Hi all,

Just saw a thread about Baytril and wondered if it was the same for Metcam - can you buy it 'over the counter' so to speak or does it have to be prescribed by the vet?

Asking as could have done with some last night - as you know Blakey had to be sedated, have a tooth out and the beginnings of an abcess drained on Wed and has been picky with her food since then because it ws hurtingto eat, poor lass. Last night her appetite came back all at once and she pogged her dinner which must have lead to some trapped gas as she started stretching and getting agitated. The only thing I could do (it was 2200) was give her gentle tummy rubs, hoping it would pass (whilst telling OH to have a look online for number for emergency vets). Thankfully tummy rubs helped and within 10 mins she was burrowing me to let her down to join Bingley on the floor again and she was fine.

Would Metacam have been useful in this situation? My buns have never really had gut problems or gas so not really quite sure. Was a bit scary but I remembered reading on here bout tummy rubs (THANKS GUYS) but wondered if there would be more I could've done?

Tammy x

Metacam in a pain killer and anti-inflammatory, so it is quite useful stuff!

However, it can cause stomach ulcers, so if a rabbit isn't eating properly, it's not always a good thing to give orally.

It is only available on prescription and it is not actually licensed for rabbits, so you have to sign a disclaimer if you have it prescribed.

Infacol (baby colic medicine, you can get it in most supermarkets) can help with tummy problems but if a rabbit is not eating, you do need to get them to a vet ASAP.

Thanks for that - I'll pick some up Infacol so I have it handy.

Her appetite has returned now - happily woofing her kale and nuggets. She had been nibbling at her nuggets over the evening and yesterday and having some veg, I think it just her eating so many in one sitting when her mouth felt better late last night that caused it and her tum didn't appreciate it. She's usually a bit of a piggy when she eats so I think she just pogged it too fast - silly bun :roll:

glad her appetitie is back

i agree witht he causing stomach ulcers bit

i have a bottle, but rarely use it, it was given to rosie when we first suspected arthiritis, ive used it twice since, only on her very very bad days

After many episodes of stasis Biscuit has been given a bottle of metacam by the vet to kep at home, but we use Zantac with to help prevent any any adverse effects it may cause to her stomach.

Thanks all, I'll be on a shopping mission next week to have some in - it was so scary seeing her do it and knowing I had nothing in the house to help but me and tummy rubs

Hopefully I won't need anything in the future as it isn't a very common problem for them thankfully but it's good to know that I have something just in case

Tammy x

I think maybe it depends on who you listen to as to what adverse side-effects it has, if any. When I took Badger to the 'Specialist' she said that they have found no known evidence that it causes gut problems, or kidney problems, or any other problems.

A guy I know over in the US says it doesn't cause gut problems, and that Zantac is an inappropriate treatment, however, it can cripple the kidneys.

I personally have a bottle at home, always, and use it when I know my bunnies need it, whenever that may be. Invariably that's under vet advice, but if its not, then they generally go to see the vet the next day (because its normally down to molar spurs :roll. The pain response in rabbits means they don't show it, and can shut down if they feel pain, so I'd rather 'risk it' than leave them in pain.