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Metacam Dose

C

cara

Alpha Buck
Sorry to ask once again (asked with another rabbit earlier this year).

Relating to other thread (bladder sludge), my rabbit @ 2.3 kg has been prescribed .5ml (although, she also mentioned 1ml, but now confused as to what was said. I have Metacam at home, so she didn't dispense with written instruction). I actually gave him .9ml at 4.30pm.

Initially, I thanked it may have helped. He certainly seemed more interested in his food although no pee or poops to date. He is now not eating.

Tried to check dose with online calculator, but unsure if I understand how to calculate. I know you are not vets, but can someone advise me please?
 
There are a lot of variables here. Metacam comes in 2 concentrations (labelled dog or cat). The dog version is 3x the concentration of the cat one.
What dose was he prescribed last time (when the metacam was dispensed)? Was it for the same rabbit and the same condition?
Did the vet maybe say 1ml / day or 0.5ml twice a day?
Is the metacam still in date? In its original bottle, it is OK for 6 months after opening. If it is in a different bottle, it has a shorter shelf life.

Sorry this isn't much help. I would suggest leaving him for tonight (try and get him to have more fluids?) and ring your vet first thing in the morning to clarify the dose.
 
Shimmer said:
There are a lot of variables here. Metacam comes in 2 concentrations (labelled dog or cat). The dog version is 3x the concentration of the cat one.
What dose was he prescribed last time (when the metacam was dispensed)? Was it for the same rabbit and the same condition?
Did the vet maybe say 1ml / day or 0.5ml twice a day?
Is the metacam still in date? In its original bottle, it is OK for 6 months after opening. If it is in a different bottle, it has a shorter shelf life.

Sorry this isn't much help. I would suggest leaving him for tonight (try and get him to have more fluids?) and ring your vet first thing in the morning to clarify the dose.
Click to expand...

Thanks for reply.

It is Metacam for dogs, prescribed for Rosie rabbit who sadly passed away. I have decanted some of it, and also have some in the bottle. It is still, just about, in date. I also have some unopened. (Rosie was on Metacam long term).
 
With many medications, including Metacam, there is a range of dosage that the vet may prescribe. My vet has told me the higher dosages are more likely to cause kidney and other complications so we only use the higher dosage if the lower dosage does not control the bunnies pain. Of course, there are exceptions and pain management is important for any pet.
 
My rabbit Thumper is the same weight as yours and her prescribed dose of Metacam is 0.6ml once per day.

I hope that helps x
 
cara said:
Sorry to ask once again (asked with another rabbit earlier this year).

Relating to other thread (bladder sludge), my rabbit @ 2.3 kg has been prescribed .5ml (although, she also mentioned 1ml, but now confused as to what was said. I have Metacam at home, so she didn't dispense with written instruction). I actually gave him .9ml at 4.30pm.

Initially, I thanked it may have helped. He certainly seemed more interested in his food although no pee or poops to date. He is now not eating.

Tried to check dose with online calculator, but unsure if I understand how to calculate. I know you are not vets, but can someone advise me please?
Click to expand...

I think giving him .9ml is a lot considering that my bunny is the same weight as yours and she is only prescribed .6 once per day.

Her sister, who weighs 3.6kg is prescribed .9ml of metacam once a day.

To answer your last question of giving more later at night; no, I wouldn't. I already think you've given too much by giving .9 anyway. But that's only my personal opinion going on my own vet's prescriptions for my 2 rabbits.
 
Well I don't know if it helps, but bella has just been spayed. She weighs 2.24 and is on 0.49ml twice daily! (Dog metacam) and also with specialists so have no doubt this is correct!
 
Last edited:
Ruthyjones89 said:
Well I don't know if it helps, but bella has just been spayed. She weighs 2.24 and is on 0.49ml twice daily! (Dog metacam) and also with specialists so have no doubt this is correct!
Click to expand...

How on earth do you measure .49? It's hard enough getting .5! :lol:

But bear in mind Bella's just been through a major op and her pain will be a lot higher than perhaps Thumper's stomach pains. (Mind you, going by the state of her yesterday ...)

What you also have to bear in mind is that Metacam can in itself cause stomach issues, sometimes causing more problems than it solves. Not in all rabbits, granted, as some on here are on long term Metacam, but my vet in particular is wary of long term use unless absolutely necessary. Don't shoot me, just sayin' :)
 
Last edited:
Checked with my vet today, who prescribed .9ml (2.3kg bunny).

The dosage recommended does vary hugely when researching on the Internet, with many articles stating that some vets are under prescribing. Some experts recommend 1ml per kg even. Also, lots of factors to take into consideration.

Not a perfect science it seems, with even the experts having various opinions!
 
cara said:
Checked with my vet today, who prescribed .9ml (2.3kg bunny).

The dosage recommended does vary hugely when researching on the Internet, with many articles stating that some vets are under prescribing. Some experts recommend 1ml per kg even. Also, lots of factors to take into consideration.

Not a perfect science it seems, with even the experts having various opinions!
Click to expand...

Par for the course with all this Rabbit related !! :lol:
 
Maisy is on 4.6ml of the dog one at the moment and she is 3.5kg after having a lump removed but thinking back I'm sure when I had her spayed that didn't give me any pain relief, now wonder she was feeling sorry for herself for a few days!

Could you not give the vets a call to double check the dosage?
 
Last edited:
Jayniekinns said:
Maisy is on 4.6ml of the dog one at the moment and she is 3.5kg after having a lump removed but thinking back I'm sure when I had her spayed that didn't give me any pain relief, now wonder she was feeling sorry for herself for a few days!

Could you not give the vets a call to double check the dosage?
Click to expand...

Are you sure you mean 4.6ml ? :shock:
 
cara said:
Checked with my vet today, who prescribed .9ml (2.3kg bunny).

The dosage recommended does vary hugely when researching on the Internet, with many articles stating that some vets are under prescribing. Some experts recommend 1ml per kg even. Also, lots of factors to take into consideration.

Not a perfect science it seems, with even the experts having various opinions!
Click to expand...

Vets can't seem to agree amongst themselves what's the optimum dosage :lol:
 
bladder sludge causes alot of inflammation i've been told so the dose tends to be higher, at least initially. although i've not had a rabbit with sludge, only guinea pigs. our vets tend to dose quite similarly for both species though.

benjie (guinea pig) had bladder sludge recently and was given dog metacam at 0.9ml twice daily initially, reduced to 0.7ml twice daily. he weighed 1.34kg at the time.

we have always been told that the higher doses are needed to bring the inflammation down as quickly as possible, and that stomach problems and kidney problems would be extremely unlikely to happen giving it long term, so short term it's very safe :wave:
 
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