Metacam

[Naomi11]

Hi all

my rabbit has been prescribed metacam for after her spay. When she’s had it previously it seemed to make her hungry and thirsty. Shes still not back to her normal eating habits and refuses critical care I have to sneak it to her but im wondering if the metacam is supposed to help with appetite along with pain relief. Any info would be great!

[Bam]

Metacam is not an appetite-stimulator per se, but a bunny in pain tend to lose its appetite, and relieving the pain often makes a bunny willing to eat.

There is an antihistamine, periactin, that sometimes is used as an appetite-enhancer in animals. It has drowsiness as a side effect.

How long ago was her spay?

[Naomi11]

Her spay was two days ago they said it could be irritating her bladder hence metacam…?? But I dont want her to be drowsy I want her to be alert and hungry.

[Naomi11]

The thing as well is she doesnt seem in pain shes been pretty relaxed and even doing some small binkies ive seen her in pain before and its obvious

[Naomi11]

And another thing!!! So shes been eating quite well, pellets and vege and herbs and reasonable amount of hay considering i have given her more pellets and fresh food than usual. But the vets keep still pushing critical care- which she hates. Because they force fed her it when she woke up from the op. And it just stresses her out. Ive read some other posts where some rabbits havent eaten as much as her at this stage but I feel bad because the vets are making critical care sound so important like she will die if she doesnt have it.

[Bam]

I have never heard of a vet saying Critical Care is a must if the bun eats properly after her surgery. CC does have all nutrients and it is very, very good for buns that are recovering from something, but if she’s eating on her own and pooping, and force-feeding her makes her stressed out, I’d hold off on the CC unless she’s severely underweight or something.

It’s customary to give Metacam for about a week after a spay (less for a boy). It’s because it’s been shown in a scientific study that does heal better if they get pain-meds after a spay.

Some buns will eat CC voluntarily if you mix it with plain canned pumpkin or baby fruit purée (banana/blueberry tends to be popular). Then you can serve it on a plate or on a spoon.

It sounds really great that she’s doing little binkies, but try to restrain her a bit, you don’t want her to exert herself!

[Naomi11]

Shes picked up heaps am trying to keep her quiet and shes back to eating like normal. Yes I was a bit upset about the critical care. She did have tramadol already but will keep up metacam. I think shes going to be okay what a relief!!!

[Author]

Messages