Author Topic: Metcam, Clavamox, Convenia in Cats  (Read 17633 times)

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Offline Middle Child

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Re: Metacam, Clavamox, Convenia in Cats
« Reply #15 on: July 30, 2011, 08:34:33 PM »
Thanks for the input guys.  I've had (different) cats that took the Clavamox for one reason or another a time or two - they seemed to do well on it - but I did know that it should accompany a meal within about 30 minutes.  Also a FYI your take until gone instructions will often contradict how long that medicine is good for after it has been mixed so be careful of that.  Read the box or bottle for how long it's good for in days (I think 7?).  

For those of you with stomatits:  Let me throw in a word of caution to you.  There are different types of stomatits not all respond to the same drugs or treatments.  If your kitty is struggling  PLEASE PLEASE see a specialist - even if you have to go out of your immediate area. If you cat has never been tested for Bartonella - please have this done!  up to 1/3 of cats are carriers of Bartonella and stomatits is an end result of this disease.  

Stomatitis as a complication of Bartonella is what we lost our Friskie to.  He had the Bartonella for so long without us knowing that we were unable to cure it.  Had we had a very simple test done, simple antibiotics would have cured him and we would still have our baby.  

Stomatitis a painfull disease.  As a result our Friskie went through a year of falling apart as we tried to save him.  We tried everything as we watched him deteriorate.   Two sets of dental extractions.  Weekly, sometimes bi-weekly cold laser therapy treatment for gingival swelling.  We fed him by hand when he wouldn't eat.  Pain killers, antibiotics, We were on the Atopic for a few months ($$)  All in all we spent a bit over $4,000 and we still lost our precious baby a 8 years old.  He went from a 13lb cat to about 8lbs when he died and he was also diabetic from not being able to eat well.  

I cannot stress how important it is to find a vet well versed in treating this disease is!!  It was awful to watch my cat waste away while we grasped at every straw to save him and fail.

Having the Bartonella test....  I never thought of that. Terrific advice.  I'll make sure KatieandMe sees your post!
« Last Edit: September 07, 2011, 08:24:31 PM by Lola, Reason: Corrected spelling in Subject line »

Offline KatieAndMe

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Re: Metcam, Clavamox, Convenia in Cats
« Reply #16 on: July 30, 2011, 08:37:21 PM »
Thanks kittymom. Will Covenia kill Bartonella? Katie has gingivitis of unknown origin and I'm terrified. I live on Social Security and can't afford huge medical bills but after all this little angel has been through I want to do the right thing for her.

finnlacey

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Re: Metcam, Clavamox, Convenia in Cats
« Reply #17 on: July 30, 2011, 08:53:20 PM »
Oh I'm so sorry that happened. Believe me I know your pain well. Not from those diseases but from IBD, pancreatitis and fatty liver; triaditis. My Alex suffered so much, medications that gave her nothing but complications and horrible reactions; vomiting until she couldn't stand to eat anymore, wasting away, all of it. I can't even talk about it, it still hurts so much. What she went through will never leave my mind. So I am very sorry you and your little one went through that.

Offline KatieAndMe

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Re: Metcam, Clavamox, Convenia in Cats
« Reply #18 on: July 31, 2011, 12:54:16 AM »
In April I lost the love of my life for 8 years, Simba, to lymphoma. I just adopted Katie from the pound a couple of weeks ago. I used all my resources for Simba but I've also learned a lot. At first it hit me hard when the vet told me about her health problem and I didn't know where I would get the strength to help her, but I have. When I see her vet next we'll have a better idea of a treatment plan and I'll request the Bartonella test. Thanks. I'm so grateful to Middle Child for all her great advice and compassion and for this forum! I didn't know not to feed Simba dry and now I feel so guilty because that's all he ate.
« Last Edit: July 31, 2011, 12:57:46 AM by KatieAndMe »

Offline CarnivorousCritter

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Re: Metcam, Clavamox, Convenia in Cats
« Reply #19 on: July 31, 2011, 07:34:23 AM »
In April I lost the love of my life for 8 years, Simba, to lymphoma. I just adopted Katie from the pound a couple of weeks ago.... I'll request the Bartonella test. Thanks. I'm so grateful to Middle Child for all her great advice ...

Ditto  :)
 grouphug    Simba angel5

Wow. This thread has certainly been an eye opener, am glad I came back to it, this is something I'd never heard of.   Heartfelt thanks also to FinnLacey& KittyMom, for sharing all this.  

« Last Edit: July 31, 2011, 07:39:49 AM by CarnivorousCritter »

Offline Lola

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Re: Metcam, Clavamox, Convenia in Cats
« Reply #20 on: July 31, 2011, 03:37:05 PM »
In April I lost the love of my life for 8 years, Simba, to lymphoma. I just adopted Katie from the pound a couple of weeks ago. I used all my resources for Simba but I've also learned a lot. At first it hit me hard when the vet told me about her health problem and I didn't know where I would get the strength to help her, but I have. When I see her vet next we'll have a better idea of a treatment plan and I'll request the Bartonella test. Thanks. I'm so grateful to Middle Child for all her great advice and compassion and for this forum! I didn't know not to feed Simba dry and now I feel so guilty because that's all he ate.

1.  VERY sorry for your loss.   :'(
2.  Do NOT feel guilty about feeding dry!!!  Unfortunately MOST people don't learn (BTDT), until they have had a medical crisis...or worse.  Also, there is sooooooo much misinformation, labels that aren't truthful, nutritionally un-trained vets, etc.  It is EASY to never give dry kibble a second thought.  You did the best with what you knew.  That is ALL anyone can do. 

 grouphug

Everything you NEED to know about caring for your feline. www.catinfo.org

Offline Kittymom4

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Re: Metcam, Clavamox, Convenia in Cats
« Reply #21 on: August 02, 2011, 11:05:33 PM »
I think the Fe-Bart test for Bartonella was about $45 for me - but I really don't know.  It was about 4 years ago and we did so much that I honestly can't remember what cost what!  It is a blood test that has to go out to a specific lab and you should get results within a few days to a week.  There is a 'scale' to how strong of a positive for the Bartonella your cat can have if he has it

The antibiotics if your cat has it are not terribly expensive - we  did 3 rounds because Friskie was such a strong positive.  There was no point in re-testing him because our vet said if the 3 rounds of antibiotic didn't get rid of it,then there was nothing else that could be done and at that point we were so concerned with the Stomatitis. 

Bartonella is what cats carry that causes Cat-Scratch fever in people and it can be passed on to other cats and even your dogs.  We had our other cat tested and she was negative :)

Friskie was a feral and since he was such a strong positive on the test, we assume he had it his whole life and we just never knew it.  Our lousy vet before our great vet never thought to test our feral cat.  You should have all strays and ferals tested!!!  I'm proof it could save their life.  Less than $100 could have saved my cat if I had been educated enough to know or had a better vet.  I lived with that guilt for a long time - it was hard to let it go.  But now I live with the fact that when you know better, you do better - so I make SURE I know better.

Offline KatieAndMe

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Re: Metcam, Clavamox, Convenia in Cats
« Reply #22 on: August 02, 2011, 11:41:43 PM »
I took Katie in today and have conflicting information from my vet. She quoted me $125 for the Bartenella test and said it had to be sent to a NY lab. She said 60% come back false positive and even showed me that in her big book ;). She didn't seem to think any blood work was necessary and it would come back clean. I'm going to get a second opinion as soon as I can find a feline vet that I trust.

Katie's stomatitis was really helped with the Metacam and luckily she didn't have any of the side effects...at least the immediate ones. She thinks I'm overly concerned because of recently losing Simba. I don't know what to think.

Offline Pookie

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Re: Metcam, Clavamox, Convenia in Cats
« Reply #23 on: August 03, 2011, 08:37:26 AM »
She thinks I'm overly concerned because of recently losing Simba. I don't know what to think.

My 2 cents?   2cents  Go with your gut.  You have every right to be concerned, and I have a problem with a vet who ignores or dismisses concerns because the pet parent just lost a pet.  She should take your concerns seriously.  In this case, I personally would get a 2nd opinion, finances, etc. permitting.

 grouphug
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Offline Middle Child

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Re: Metcam, Clavamox, Convenia in Cats
« Reply #24 on: August 03, 2011, 09:49:31 AM »
My 2 cents?   2cents  Go with your gut.  You have every right to be concerned, and I have a problem with a vet who ignores or dismisses concerns because the pet parent just lost a pet.  She should take your concerns seriously.  In this case, I personally would get a 2nd opinion, finances, etc. permitting.

 grouphug

Well said.

Offline Kittymom4

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Re: Metcam, Clavamox, Convenia in Cats
« Reply #25 on: August 07, 2011, 03:56:21 PM »
I do remember the Fe Bart test had to go to a specific lab but I don't know where.  I don't remember it being so expensive - but back then I was paying for everything under the sun for Friskie so I really don't know how much that one test cost - and it was three years ago.  I'm sure we've all been there where we just sign the bill and close our eyes! LOL

However I DO NOT remember my vet saying a word about false positives/negatives on the tests - and he would have said so.  There was a range like I said - say 1-10 of "how positive" you cat was - I don't remember how that all worked.

I don't like to vet bash.   You have to be comfortable with your doctors.  HOWEVER.  From my own experience - after my Friskie passed on my vets (there are several at the practice I go to) were more careful and aware of my feelings and concerns knowing what I had just been through.  They were MORE understanding.  To think that your vet would be dismissive of you because you've just lost a pet doesn't sit well with me. 

Do some research on the Bartonella and the Fe Bart test -  see what you think for yourself. 

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