The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Backinwellies on March 16, 2017, 09:38:42 am

Title: Metacam dosage
Post by: Backinwellies on March 16, 2017, 09:38:42 am
There has been some discussion in another threat about Metacam dosage for sheep and how often this is given and possible kidney damage .... 

If there a vet out there with some proper advice please ....
Title: Re: Metacam dosage
Post by: landroverroy on March 16, 2017, 10:11:16 am
Ok - I'm not a vet so ignore what I say if it's not relevant.
However, I have had many years of experience of using metacam for many types of animals, both long and short term.
I've only used it short term for sheep and found no problems at all. If it needed painkiller long term I would probably look to having it put down. However, if the sheep was a special pet and needed long term painkiller for example because of arthritis, I would go for turmeric +black pepper which is equally effective as metacam as an anti inflammatory without the possible side effects. There is loads of interesting research done on turmeric available on the internet.   
I have used metacam for a year or so on my dog with no visible problems. But I found that 3/4 of the recommended dose seemed to keep her pain free.

However, if an animal is in pain, is it preferable to give it painkiller now for as long as it needs it, or to leave it in pain because it  MIGHT get organ damage at a later date?
Title: Re: Metacam dosage
Post by: twizzel on March 16, 2017, 11:17:59 am
Leaving an animal in pain means its welfare is compromised ... we have a bottle of metacam on the farm and use it on calves, cows, sheep- normally 1 dose is all that's needed. I would argue any large animal needing long term metacam should be culled but for pneumonia, difficult calving/lambing it is invaluable. Had a ewe last night with a temperature, gave metacam on advise from vet and she's much better this morning. The vet has always emphasised the importance of not overdosing, 2.5ml per 100kg dosage and try to be as accurate on the animal's weight as you can be without scales. R.e. use in small animals I guess enough research has been done to support long term use?
Title: Re: Metacam dosage
Post by: fsmnutter on March 16, 2017, 11:50:42 am
As the label states it is for cattle, pigs and horses, for a single dose only, this is all that the manufacturers have tested and therefore guarantee safety and efficacy on that basis.

As vets, we can use medicines in a different way than the label states (eg. In this case either for use in sheep and for repeated injections) under the cascade system which relies on our knowledge of pharmaceutical properties and manufacturers advice.

As such, and because there is no painkiller licensed in sheep, I frequently give sheep a single dose of metacam at the dose of 1ml per 40kg (2.5ml per 100kg) and haved also repeated the injection at 2-4 days as required in sheep and cattle.

Every time we use metacam (or generic version) in any species we run up the benefits of the pain relief and reduction of inflammation against the risks of it affecting the organs (kidneys and liver can get damaged by non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs including metacam, and there is a slight risk of stomach ulcers, though this is far more likely in small animals). Every time a vet decides to give or not give a medicine, this process goes on to decide when, if or how much drug to give.

Any time a vet gives a drug they should be happy to discuss why they are giving it and you are always within your rights to ask and discuss any treatment given to your animals.

Hope this helps a bit
Title: Re: Metacam dosage
Post by: pharnorth on March 16, 2017, 06:47:57 pm
Looks like it is approved for sheep in USA and Australia now. Not that contradicts fsmnutter's comments but it means it has been tested and safety reviewed, just not by EU yet.
Title: Re: Metacam dosage
Post by: moprabbit on March 16, 2017, 09:48:14 pm
There's some interesting points in this thread. I wondered what more you can tell me Landroverroy about tumeric and black pepper as an alternative to Metacam. Is it thought to be a painkiller as well as anti inflammatory[size=78%]? Thanks [/size]
Title: Re: Metacam dosage
Post by: landroverroy on March 17, 2017, 10:09:40 am
It is a painkiller by virtue of the fact that it is anti inflammatory. So for that reason it works well for arthritis. But it doesn't necessarily mean it would do much for say a broken leg. Different painkillers work best in different circumstances.
But you are best looking it upon the internet where you can read about properly researched results, rather than take my abbreviated account of it as gospel. 
Title: Re: Metacam dosage
Post by: moprabbit on March 17, 2017, 04:35:38 pm
Thanks for that LRR! I'll do a bit of research into this!
Title: Re: Metacam dosage
Post by: bazzais on March 17, 2017, 06:56:34 pm
Ask a vet who is 'candid' - its not licensed for sheep, much like lot of other meds - but they work.

You wont  get official advice in writing just a recommendation at the back door.