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Hi - I spoke to you yesterday about my cat who had dental surgery and I asked about Buprenex and Clavaseptin. So he seems to be sleeping just a little less than before, but he still isn't eating like normal. We are giving him wet food - he eats some. Then later he seems to want to eat - we put some before him and he just licks it a couple of times and walks away. At what point do we start to think that it might be something else than the teeth or that a botch job was done on the teeth?
Optional Information: Type of Animal: Cat Gender: Male Age: 6 Name of Cat: Leo
Aloha! You're speaking with Dr. Michael SalkinAs you may have gleaned from my posts, I'm acutely aware of how poorly many cats do with drugs. My first approach to Leo would be to stop both the Buprenex and Clavaseptin. Neither should be necessary at this time post-surgery. Clavaseptin is a known gastrointestinal disturber and Buprenex decreases gastrointestinal motility and appetite. I'm assuming that Leo's pre-operative blood work was normal and we're not dealing with a major organ dysfunction at this time. I'm pleased to hear that he's interested in eating and expect his appetite to return to normal shortly. If his mouth were still significantly painful I would expect your seeing him eating to one side of his mouth, head tilted away from the painful side, and perhaps excessive salivation (ptyalism). Patience is the ticket at this time. Please continue our conversation if you wish.
I have noticed he does tend to open his jaw in an abnormal way sometimes and lick up above his lip. When he eats he doesn't chew into the food the way he normally does - just licks it.
I would expect some discomfort after a major extraction. It took me two weeks to stop feeling my molar extraction. A potent narcotic isn't appropriate at this time. If pain relief is still required I would suggest the new nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that has been released for cats - robenacoxib (Onsior). This is a yeast-flavored tablet given for a maximum of three days - just enough for Leo.
Experience: UC Davis graduate veterinarian with 41 years of experience
Thank you. I'll check back with you in a few days for an update.
Sorry - one more question and then I will leave you alone. Provided it is the Clavaseptin and/or Buprenex that is causing him these symptoms - how soon does it leave the system? So if I gave him Clavaseptin and Buprenex this morning at 7:30 am when should I start to see an improvement if it is those things? Just trying to use process of elimination.
No worries. I see my cats normalize 24 hours after cessation of these drugs. Has Leo been given a recheck appointment? Many of us will recheck extraction sites as part of the "process". Any charge for this recheck is built into the original charges.
Thanks for that information. To add to this - he just had another bowel movement (he had his first after not having any at about 1:30am) and now he has just had another. Both of them were very loose - like diarrhea. Yes the vet has agreed to a re-check.
I'd attribute his diarrhea to the Clavaceptin. Wonderful drug but tough on cats. Good on the recheck. Talk to you soon.
How's Leo doing today?