A question about Metacam (in dog)

[MimzMum]

I think I may be witnessing a miracle…medical or otherwise. 0.o

As many of you who’ve read my latest posts may know, my dog was run over last Friday. We think he did not hear the car because in December he’d had a rather bad yeast infection in his ears that we treated with quadritop, and we weren’t sure he hadn’t been frostbitten inside his ear canal, so we presumed through several unscientific tests that he was completley deaf. He will respond if he sees or smells you, but otherwise, he’s oblivious to the world.

He’s been on Metacam once a day since Friday. A brief respite on Sunday because he wasn’t eating. Well last night, I heard him tune up with his poppa and howl. This struck me as odd for a moment, but I was sleepy I thought I’d imagined it.

This morning, my husband called him (we still haven’t adjusted to his deafness) and the dog’s left ear went up and he turned to him. So now I am thinking….

Metacam is an anti-inflammatory. Most online vet sites that talk about otitis and yeast infections of the ear mention inflamed ear tissue.

Could it be that, for all this time, my dog has only had some kind of inflamed tissue that has prevented his being able to hear and now that the Metacam is working he is able to hear again a bit? And if so, when he goes off the Metacam would he get all inflamed in there again and resume being deaf? He still had terribly dirty ears that look like the initial infection hasn’t cleared up properly (I am kind of surprised that the vet didn’t notice this, he had to have looked in his ears…plus I only just found out that my dog never had x-rays taken-which infuriates me.)

How would we keephim hearing without Metacam? I’m sure he can’t take it forever, it’s an awfully strong drug. I’ll have to throw this idea past my vet, naturally, but I was wondering if anyone here has had a similar experience?

Thankies!

[bunnytowne]

oh m y I hear you. the vet didn’t take xrays? hmmm. well I know nothign about this sort of thing hopefully someone else here does.   can you take him to another vet for his ear? maybe. well with antiinflammatory they dont’ always need it long term usually the inflammation is gone once the course is stopped sort of like a sprained ankle when you take anti inflammatory but really I have no idea about the ear I truly don’t just giving you m y thoughts that is all it is just my thoughts my heart goes out to you and your family GET Well soon Big Puppy your family luvs you.

[JK]

I have no clue but it kind of makes sense!  Wow what a little miracle.  That is just amazing!!!! Only good things will happen for the weekend!!!!  That is exciting news!

[MimzMum]

Thanks bunnytowne & knowltons4! Yes, wouldn’t it be nice if this weekend was a complete opposite of last weekend? ^_^ I think I could live with that.

[Lion_Lop_Lover]

That would be wonderful!

[charlie82]

Mimz!

A lot of dogs have to live on metacam permanently i.e when they are suffering from arthritis etc…

It can be used long term, however I would question whether some kind of ulceration meds would be needed to go alongside it i.e zantac. Long term usage of metacam can result in stomach ulceration. I know this to be the case in rabbits, but obviously they have completely different metabolisms to dogs so it is worth asking your vet 🙂 x

[MimzMum]

I’ve no doubt he’d need tummy meds if he did have to live on the metacam, he’s already has some questionable stools, but we’re not sure if it’s the metacam or the tramadol causing this. But he did finally go to the bathroom, and it’s starting to look more normal, so we’re pleased about that. lolz…only pet lovers would be happy about pet poopies! ^_^
Thanks for the info!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

MM as someone whose dog now cannot hear, by god I hope your dog can hear now!! That’s soo sweet!! If it were me, don’t matter what caused it, darn dog can hear again LOL! Hugs!!

My poor Mandi can’t hear at all now, seemed to come on sudden, but she was always more in tune with gestures, so we are super careful to touch/gesture lots more now; I wonder how long before we stop talking to her? I still do although I know she can’t hear…she seems to be able to hear some high high notes and feel vibrations for sure.

[MimzMum]

That seems to be my dog’s case also. He’ll hear a whistle (high-pitched) and sometimes feels us walking up on him. But the car can come in the driveway and he won’t know till he smells the exhaust. I notice he is always putting his nose in the air now, to tell what’s going on around him.

I have been using hand gestures for months now, he seems to appreciate them. He’s caught on pretty well what each one means. Especially the one that says, “Now open wide and say AHHHH!” (medicine time)
He usually runs away when he sees that one coming. ^_^

[KatnipCrzy]

Alot of dogs can be on NSAIDS (antiinflammatories) everyday if medically needed.  I had a Golden that had to be on Deramaxx EOD due to a horribly arthritic knee.  Your vet might requite bloodwork every 6-12 months to make sure that the medication is not affecting his liver, etc.

How big is your dog?  Are you giving liquid Metacam that you get from your vet?  Do you think you vet will want him on it long-term?  Please email me at Kirby52894 @ chartermi.net  (without the spaces).  I have an idea that can possibly make Metacam in pill form very affordable for your dog-with a prescription from your vet and a reliable pharmacy.

Julie

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