Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Pam,
In an earlier post today, you mentioned that generic Metacam is available for humans, and the same version can be used for dogs as well. Wow! We had no idea.
Can you tell me: would we, the human, need to get a prescription for the Metacam from our M.D. physician, or can we take our dog's vet prescription to the Walmart pharmacy?
Also, how does the dosage work when you're giving a dog the human version?
Thanks so much.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jerry, the generic product is called meloxicam (brand name for people is Mobic) and has been around for a while. Many pharmacies now have it on their discount or "$4 list". The tablets come in 7.5 mg or 15 mg and I believe there is also a liquid available.
Your vet would need to determine the dosage (Using the standard dose a 100 pound dog would use the 7.5 mg tablet and would get 1/2 to 1 tablet per day). Your vet can provide a written script or call the pharmacy direct for you. I think at some pharmacies like Target you have to actually register your dog as a patient but most fill prescriptions for pets quite routinely.
Anytime an NSAID is used long-term your dog should have baseline bloodwork and then the liver and kidney enzymes should be rechecked in 2-4 weeks to make sure that there are no problems and then I usually check every 6-12 months depending on the dog. Main side effects are vomiting or diarrhea but meloxicam is usually pretty benign. Any time you change NSAIDS there should be a 3-5 day "wash-out" period in between drugs.
Hope this helps!
Pam and Tazzie
You bet it helps, thank you so much. How cool.
One other option I wanted to mention to people is that, after a few years of paying high prices for Metacam, Dr. Mullins introduced us to the Apothecary Shop, which put together a compounded / custom version of Metacam for me. While my scrip wasn't $4, it was still a better deal than paying full price.
We appreciate the information Doc, thanks again.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Titan started metacam today. I asked the oncologist about the generic they said they aren't allowed to prescribe it because it's not in vet form or something. Has anyone had the generic prescribed?
Heidi
Your vet should be able to write a script for human meds; they do it all of the time for oncology drugs. They may have a policy that if the drug exists in a veterinary form then they prefer not to use the human one but that seems odd. Maybe the state vet laws are different than here in WA?
I would ask your regular vet. They may have different policies than the oncologist.
Pam and Tazzie
He said he looked up a 12 page document with FDA and he said it's illegal for them to do it or something....oh well got him started on metacam
Heidi and Titan
That's odd. My oncologist prescribed generic Albuterol for me, in human form, and my Mom picked it up at K-Mart.
Well, sorry you couldn't get it, but don't forget you can get the prescription filled in a generic, compounded, customized form, for animals, from the Apothocary Shop. Your vet office would have to call it in though.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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