Polyps/Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome

[Rysiek]

Thank you...
I went shopping today, bought some cheese and pates...will try tomorrow...

Today have chosen an easy option, meaning liquid and double of his favourite treats afterwards...
He is ok...
I am a bit stressed out...

I also wrote to the vets if they could source a flavoured omeprasole, same as he had with gabapentin...

 

[Rysiek]

We managing with liquid now, he gets some treats afterwards. Seems that liquid works better than a tablet, perhaps a different absorption

 

[Rysiek]

TAPERING METACAM:
We are on the second week of tapering metacam, doing 0.1ml a week, tapering from a dose of 0.5ml which he was taking long-term since the end of August. This is really slow taper...
We managed to successfully taper Gabapentin (slow taper) with the last dose on 25th October.

I have noticed that he has become a bit hesitant of dry treats and scratches his ear more often...No particular distress...
It started since tapering metacam and I wonder if there are any rebound/withdrawal symptoms, or his condition may simply get worse...My vet said just to monitor him, she was not really concerned...
I may be over-sensitive to any minimal changes in his wellbeing...

Read some articles about humans Meloxicam Withdrawal (renaissancerecovery.com) If meloxicam is used for pain, stopping might reveal underlying discomfort, warranting precautions. Although not psychoactive like other addictive substances that cause withdrawal, discontinuation might lead to the recurrence of pain and inflammation. Consulting a healthcare provider before discontinuing any drug is essential.

Bit worried, as he was doing so well...

 

[fionasmom]

You are probably concerned and with a perfect right to be after all that you have been through. However, just continue to monitor and remember that cats sometimes engage in a new behavior for reasons that only make sense to them. One of my perfectly healthy cats, maybe the most healthy, has just started to lose interest in the favorite treat and I don't think that anything is wrong as her appetite is certainly in full swing.

 

[Rysiek]

Thank you. He seems all right otherwise, hopefully this is just me being oversensitive...

 

[Rysiek]

Head shaking and scratching under his chin and ears has been happening more often...
I gave him a full dose of metacam today morning, he is sleeping now...
I will write to my vet...

 

[Rysiek]

She said: It is maybe wise we see him again, especially if the clinical symptoms to not resolve. My plan would be to run him through the CT and review the mouth to see if we can identify any other areas that could be causing the symptoms.

I contacted reception but there are no appointments available
Unfortunately, I cancelled mine couple of weeks before, as he was doing better...
I feel in despair...

 

[fionasmom]

Is he having a very bad time? Given that this is ongoing, I would keep in touch with the office so that they know that you need an appointment. The message from the vet does not have a "let's wait months to do this" vibe to me. Is it the December 8 appointment that you canceled? Does the vet think that continuing the metacam in the interim ( I realize it may not be the whole issue) would help?

 

[Rysiek]

Is he having a very bad time? Given that this is ongoing, I would keep in touch with the office so that they know that you need an appointment. The message from the vet does not have a "let's wait months to do this" vibe to me. Is it the December 8 appointment that you canceled? Does the vet think that continuing the metacam in the interim ( I realize it may not be

He has been much better since reinstating metacam. Unsure if this is masking the problems, treating them or both.

I have written to the vets...so waiting for their reply. They are really busy clinic, the only dental clinic for whole Scotland!

 

[Rysiek]

8th December is still free, so we have it scheduled now...until there, follow protocol with metacam and omeprasole...
His symptoms almost disappeared after reinstating metacam...

 

[fionasmom]

That must give you some relief and if he is okay with the metacam it might be best to continue it until the 8th.

 

[Rysiek]

That must give you some relief and if he is okay with the metacam it might be best to continue it until the 8th.

Yes, we continue with metacam until any further recommendations...

 

[Rysiek]

I am mentally preparing for our trip on Friday, or I should say, I am worried about many aspects of the journey (not a good weather) and the visit (if they find anything and what it may be)...
He has been fine since reinstating metacam...
His health continues to be a mystery...

 

[fionasmom]

Keep us posted as to how it goes. I understand about bad weather and a trip with a pet, as even out here in LA that can happen.

 

[Rysiek]

We managed! It is 95 miles from my place, the only specialist dental vet in Scotland! He was on gabapentin before journey and then drugged post procedure. The x-rays were taken and additionally dental CT scan...There was one tooth that looked differently, so this time it was pulled out. He has some soluble stitches and I need to give him buprenorphine three times a day for five days...After around one month try to taper metacam.
She said there is no any obvious reason for his inflammation. She consulted gastro vet, and they do not see a typical picture for esophagitis either, so we will be tapering omeprasole.
It is a mistery...
He is ok now, a bit unsettled, perhaps due to buprenorphine and all the drugs he had yesterday + the journey (although he was great!)...
I am exhausted, but strangely had problems with sleeping, I guess my nervous system was a bit overwhelmed...it was around five hours drive all together (lots of traffic), + all the stress...

 

[fionasmom]

I am exhausted, but strangely had problems with sleeping, I guess my nervous system was a bit overwhelmed...it was around five hours drive all together (lots of traffic), + all the stress...

I would think so. I hope that at least some of the drive might have been peaceful and picturesque through the Scottish countryside.

Glad to hear that they did remove a tooth that might have been troublesome and checked for other problems. He is probably exhausted, even if he was a good boy, and the bupe is making him tired. I hope that he is a little more responsive as he rests and becomes comfortable at home.

 

[Rysiek]

I would think so. I hope that at least some of the drive might have been peaceful and picturesque through the Scottish countryside.

Glad to hear that they did remove a tooth that might have been troublesome and checked for other problems. He is probably exhausted, even if he was a good boy, and the bupe is making him tired. I hope that he is a little more responsive as he rests and becomes comfortable at home.

He was sleeping all day yesterday close to the radiator and eating a lot...seems a bit more active today...
Tomorrow, we will have a check up at the local vet...but I see no signs of pain or anything worrying...
I myself had a better night last night, although still tired...glad it is Sunday...

 

[Rysiek]

A sad update:
He had a short attack when he was playing with his tongue rolling and distress that lasted for around 1 minute.
My dental vet answer:
"The symptoms do sound like trigeminal neuralgia since we have ruled out all oral possibilities.
The only treatment for this is Gabapentin. Unfortunately as it is only occasionally happening then it is maybe not best for him to be on this longterm. If it was regularly happening then that would be a different case for longterm use."

I am feeling sad ...

 

[Rysiek]

I am thinking about CBD oil, as this helps to calm the nervous system. Unsure about dosing and how this may interact with metacam...
Rysiek is generally very sensitive and gets easily startled...
When he was a little cat he used to live with a person who was mostly working long hours, so he was left on his own and used to cry a lot (she had a camera), so she decided to give him away, but the trauma was already caused, I guess a bit similar to ptsd...with fight flight response ...
The attacks always happen when he plays and is overexcited...

 

[Rysiek]

I have found The Natural Vet in Glasgow (40 min drive) and registered my interest, as he needs blood tests anyway, so I will make an appointment with them and get their views on alternative treatments