Adverse Reactions to Buprenorphine? Help!!!

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Critter Mom, Mar 27, 2015.

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  1. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Saoirse spent a couple of days this week undergoing various diagnostic scans and tests. Based on the findings Saoirse has also been diagnosed with stage II CKD and hypothyroidism (which they think is related to the pancreatitis). There are some abnormalities in her liver, but the initial view is that these are likely to be fairly common, benign lesions.

    The specialist has put her on an analgesia trial (0.27 ml buprenorphine TID) to see if it might help reduce the pancreatic inflammation (latest Spec fPL 17 and significant swelling seen on scan).

    Saoirse has been treated with bupe before but only seemed to need occasional doses. A dose of 0.2ml last year didn't seem to agree with her much but it was hard to tell because her diabetes was not controlled at the time. She has tolerated very occasional doses of 0.1ml. I was concerned about the higher dose prescribed because Saoirse seems to be very sensitive to all medications (only needs tiny doses to benefit from the likes of ondansetron, cyproheptadine, famotidine).

    Earlier in the week Saoirse was only mildly symptomatic for pancreatitis (perky, excellent appetite, producing excellent stools, no nausea, very occasional brief periods of hiding after a meal now and again). This morning I woke up to find her hiding under a table and looking really, really ill. She didn't eat her overnight feeds. She seemed very lethargic after the second, larger dose of bupe last night. The only other variable was that I opened a new tin of food for her overnight feeds (from same batch as she had been on earlier in the week without any problems). I've seen her have iffy reactions to food many times, and this seemed very different. I've consulted our vets about this and we've agreed to withhold the bupe and monitor Saoirse's clinical signs over the weekend. Frankly, I'm not prepared to give her the bupe. I'm really, really worried about her reaction to the higher dose of the drug: she seemed way more poorly than she would be if had a bad reaction to a food, and goodness knows I've enough experience of that.


    Does anyone else know about or have experience of adverse reactions to buprenorphine?

    Does anyone know of a reputable site where I might find details of when the drug is contraindicated in cats?

    I've done a quick scout on Google and I've seen a couple of sites that say that buprenorphine is contraindicated in cats with renal issues and also hypothyroidism but I'd be very grateful if anyone could point me at a source that will be useful to my vets. I'm quite poorly myself after having to be away from home for a couple of days (agoraphobia, etc.) and I'm just not able to do a lot of research myself right now (if I was able to do i, I wouldn't be asking for a leg up). Can anyone recommend some respected veterinary sites that I might look up to find out more information fairly quickly? It would be such a help and very, very much appreciated.
     
  2. Maggies Mom Debby

    Maggies Mom Debby Well-Known Member

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  3. Larry and Kitties

    Larry and Kitties Well-Known Member

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    0.27 ml of buprenorphine is somewhat high but hard to tell since the concentration of the buprenorphine was not given. One common concentration is 0.3 mg/ml. How much does Saoirse weigh?
     
  4. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    @Maggies Mom Debby -

    Debby - vetinfo is one of the sites I looked up. Do you know if this is a site our own vets would regard as a reliable information source? I'm hoping to get some links to support my concerns and the Vetinfo site covers both the renal and thyroid problems that Saoirse has been diagnosed with.

    @Larry and Kitties -

    Larry - I checked the prescription label. It's Buprecare - 0.3mg/ml. Saoirse currently weighs 4.0kg (ideal weight 4.2-4.5 kg). She was 4.2-ish before the hospital stay.
     
  5. Tiger(GA) and Ruth

    Tiger(GA) and Ruth Well-Known Member

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    (((((Aine & Saoirse))) I've been so worried about you!!! One breath at a time! :bighug::bighug:

    The page is from Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, you want page 112, I am trying to link the correct page, but if it doesn't work, scroll down. At a glance, there may be a problem with antihistamine, is Saoirse taking cypro for example? 0.3 knocks Tiger for a loop, and she weighs 12 pounds!!! :nailbiting::nailbiting:

    Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook-Bupe
     
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  6. bsmith

    bsmith Member

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    Let's see what the vet gave Edwin, it's some where in the cabinet, here it is! My vet had Edwin (9-10 lbs at the time) take 0.3 ml of Buprenorphine. The Buprenorphine is listed as 0.3 mg/ml on the prescription label, same as yours. Edwin was a bit heavier than Saoirse then, though I think it's reversed now (Eat Edwin, eat. Don't make me go all Italian grandmother on you. I had one of those. I know how to do it.)

    Anyways, it sounds like a sensible dose. If Saoirse is extra sensitive, you could always play around with only giving a partial dose. Make sure to get it on her gums as you're not supposed to just shoot it into their mouth (this was very hard to do with Edwin). It never seemed to help with Edwin's pain, but it did make him stare off into the distance a lot.

    As far as renal issues, I know it is an issue in humans (you can always trust the NIH): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0023948/?report=details
     
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  7. bsmith

    bsmith Member

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    Nice link! I've downloaded and saved a copy of this. I only found the old reference for Buprenorphine in an older version http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth/Documents/pharmacy-buprenorphine.pdf

    Your link is much nicer.
     
  8. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Thank you so much for the links. :bighug: I am extremely grateful for the help. Because of my own health problems I was already in a bad state with the hospital stuff (I get head cold & shock-like symptoms plus very severe fatigue if I'm away from base for even short periods of time) but I was completely taken aback at the awful state Saoirse was in this morning. It really, really frightened me. I've been a complete mess all day - getting worse if anything. Thankfully she's picked up a bit now. Her coat was quite dry and dull earlier in the afternoon but it's softer now and her facial expression has improved. (((Saoirse)))
     
  9. bsmith

    bsmith Member

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    Thanks for making me go and look for links. I've found quite a few that will be helpful to Edwin while googling about. This one (http://www.aahanet.org/publicdocuments/painmanagementguidelines.pdf) has a list of Useful Internet Links (Table 5) as well as a lot of other good information about pain to be read at you leisure. Those internet sites are all ones that have information that can be trusted and it's nice to have them listed in one place.

    As far as I can tell, buprenorphine can cause liver issues, but can be used in cats with liver problems as long as it is used with caution and liver values are checked on occasion. Of course, this is only for long term use. If you are only using this short term it shouldn't be an issue. I also found references (though not good ones) that buprenorphine could be problematic in cats with hyperthyroidism. Thank goodness Saoirse is going the other way with hypothyroidism. There has also been some reference to buprenorphine causing anorexia after 5 days or so (again no good trusted reference for this one). Saoirse might just be very sensitive to the inappatince effects, which are clearly listed as a side effect in the NIH reference for use in humans (listed as "loss of appetite"). The lethargy you are seeing is also another common side effect. Try lightening the dose and make sure to get it on her gums where it can be absorbed properly (so hard to do).
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2015
    Reason for edit: typo
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  10. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    The links above list hypothyroidism as a bupe contraindication. It's not just Saoirse's appetite that was affected either: this morning's stool was the worst one she has had since last summer. Timing-wise, it correlates with everything she ate after receiving the first dose of the bupe. My gut is screaming "Wrong for her!" at me. Discussing things here has helped me to work out that she didn't have enough of the new tin of food to trigger this bad a GI reaction.
     
  11. bsmith

    bsmith Member

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    In that case, I'm betting you'll discuss getting a different pain med for her with your vet. As far as the link that listed hyperthyroidism instead of hypothyroidism as an issue, I'd trust the other links way more. Here's hoping you'll find a better medication and that in the meantime Saoirse will get some calming belly rubs. Does she react to catnip? I've found in the past that that sometimes helps calm Edwin's stomach.
     
  12. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Thankfully Saoirse has not needed cypro since last summer, Ruth, but I know the effect you mean. The few occasions she has both the small cypro dose and the bupe at the same time, the cypro definitely potentiated the sedative effects of the bupe. The way she was this morning wasn't anything like that, though.
     
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  13. Tiger(GA) and Ruth

    Tiger(GA) and Ruth Well-Known Member

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    Aine, are you absolutely certain your vet said Saoirse has Hypothyroidism? Usually it is an adverse reaction to Radioiodine I131 treatment(which is the case for my Tiger!) Or it can be the result of an injury to the cat's thyroid gland(recall mel and the furgang's Autumn?)

    Honestly, I have trouble believing that bupe would cause diarrhea, it IS known to cause constipation in cats. I would be way more suspicious of any newly introduced food to cause the upset. But if you do think she had an adverse reaction, definitely don't give it to her. ECID!
     
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  14. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    She does. I've been using a toy filled with organic catnip to soothe her tum since last summer. It has definitely helped her. I've read that it apparently has some analgesic effect and Saoirse seems more comfortable after licking the toy.
     
  15. bsmith

    bsmith Member

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    I'd actually try putting out some loose catnip out for her to eat. Eating catnip, not just playing with toys filled with catnip, seems to help Edwin. A little something green for the belly.
    That is true. Those opiates usually tend to stop you up rather than cause diarrhea. Though ECID definitely applies, as some people/cats, though rare, can have diarrhea as a side effect instead.
     
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  16. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    The smaller doses she had after the dental did cause mild constipation, Ruth. She didn't have diarrhoea today, just a tan, somewhat squidgy, cylindrical stool (cf. segmented). There were a couple of small, healthy segments, too. Normally if a food disagrees with her she shows signs after only one or two feeds. She didn't react like that yesterday. :( The second large dose of bupe seemed to have a much stronger effect on her than the first one - almost as though it was building on the previous dose. (sigh)
     
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  17. Tiger(GA) and Ruth

    Tiger(GA) and Ruth Well-Known Member

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    Did you see my question regarding hypothyroidism?
     
  18. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Yep. Report lists biochemical hypothyroidism - Total thyroxine 12.9nmol/L (ref: 15-60nmol/L).
     
  19. Tiger(GA) and Ruth

    Tiger(GA) and Ruth Well-Known Member

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    @Critter Mom (((Aine))) Sorry, I'm not trying to stress you out- I'm just thinking out loud. Pancreatitis is a horrible thing, it is hard to detect and it could likely be responsible for how crappy Saoirse feels? But all the same, it sounds like bupe needs to be removed from her tool kit.

    FWIW, Tiger also has hypothyroidism, and so do I! Hers was from I-131 and I discovered that I have it during that same time frame. :rolleyes: It is easily treatable though, she gets a tasty chicken flavored compound of Levothyroxin(the same med that I take and the same mini dose!) and she likes it, there is no struggle! So much easier than the nasty Tapazole pills that made her vomit and foam at the mouth, plus no side effects!
     
  20. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Whatever the cause, exacerbation of her pancreatitis is definitely making her feel bad. But whether the food or the drug, something definitely triggered the upset. :( :( :(

    BTW, Ruth, you're not stressing me out. On the contrary, I'm very grateful you're here to talk with me about this. My own digestive system is in bits with the worry. It would be much worse if I was completely alone with all this. I'm absolutely shattered tired but the worry is making my PTSD worse and my brain is over-revving badly at the same time. 'Tired and wired' is a very uncomfortable state.

    Thank you for the information about the hypothyroid treatment. My mum had severe hyperthyroidism for a while. (She shook so badly that she was able to set up harmonic vibrations in large church pews!) She didn't have radioiodine treatment, but my brother (a doc) thinks they overdid her treatment. She ended up somewhat hypothyroid (but never got treatment for that).
     
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  21. bsmith

    bsmith Member

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    I like the part about setting up harmonic vibrations in the church pews. That ought to have made church more interesting :) . Radioiodine and similar treatments are difficult to do and often result in hypothyroidism (though that can be treated with a pill). With my family history it's not a question of if I'll get hypothyroidism, it's just a question of when, so I'm tested yearly. Interestingly, many people naturally have hyperthyroidism issues right before having hypothyroidism. It's like your thyroid gives one last big burst of hormones right before burning out.
     
  22. Voula

    Voula Well-Known Member

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    Healing prayers for Saoirse and a big hug to you Aine at this difficult time.
     
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  23. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    I never knew that. I wonder if that's what happened with my mum?

    I'm sorry to hear that hypothyroidism is in your stars, but relieved to hear that the treatment is fairly straightforward. :bighug:
     
  24. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Thank you for praying for my girl, Voula, and for sending me a hug. I am in sore need of hugs right now. :(

    How is Lucy? I miss hearing about her progress. And how are you? Sending :bighug:for you and scritches for your fur baby.
     
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  25. Voula

    Voula Well-Known Member

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    Hi Aine. Thank you for the hugs and scritches too. My Lucy is doing well at the moment and I hope she will do even better with more consistent dosing as I have had to skip doses because I had some medical issues of my own to cope with and also surgery this past week. I do hope you and Saoirse will get through this difficult time very quickly and will both be much better very soon.
     
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  26. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Oh, Voula! You have been through a lot. I wish you a very speedy recovery. I'm delighted to hear that Lucy is doing well. :bighug:
     
  27. Blamethecats and Hannah

    Blamethecats and Hannah Member

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    Hi, Áine... I've been watching for an update on Saoirse. Found your news last evening, just before heading off to bed. I'm so sorry to hear that your little girl isn't feeling well. Gosh, what a week it has been for the two of you. Wish I could offer some sort of medical advice, but as you know, I don't have much of a clue when it comes to that. I can, however, offer you emotional support, when you need it. I really feel for you and Saoirse, as know how difficult this has been on both of you. Multiple and sincere hugs to you and your Bonnie. :bighug::bighug::bighug: I'm hoping that you are both feeling a bit better with this new day.

    This discussion on hyperthyroid and hypothyroid disease brings back thoughts on Hannah's GA civie, Daisy. She was diagnosed with hyperthyroid disease in 2010, at the age of 14. After three months of a Methimazole trial, we took her to Cornell for radioactive iodine (I131) treatment. It was like a silver bullet. It gave her almost four more pretty good years, although about 3 years after I131, she became borderline hypothyroid, then hypothyroid. We lost her this past July, but it was due to cancer, not her thyroid issues. Just wanted to mention this, even though it's somewhat irrelevant to what's going on with Saoirse. Perhaps it will provide food for thought for someone else's kitty who has been diagnosed as hyperthyroid.

    Again, I'm thinking of you and sending positive thoughts and many prayers your way.
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2015
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  28. Voula

    Voula Well-Known Member

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    Thank you dear Aine. :bighug:
     
  29. jmalasiuk

    jmalasiuk Member

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    I'm unable to provide any information on buprenorphine, but I wanted to let you know that you're in my thoughts and I am sending wishes for health and comfort to you and Saoirse - it's obvious how much you love her. :bighug:
     
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  30. Tiger(GA) and Ruth

    Tiger(GA) and Ruth Well-Known Member

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    (((((Aine & Saoirse))))) Been thinking of you all day- wondering how are things today? (actually it is night for you- right?) I hope that you got some rest last night and that Saoirse feels a little better. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
  31. tiffmaxee

    tiffmaxee Well-Known Member

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    There a couple of yahoo groups that deal with thyroid issues One especially deals with hypo. It does seem to occur mostly from cats receiving too much medication or too much radiation after being hyper. They might be able to help you though. If you want the links let me know. Hugs and vines and lots of prayers are headed your way.
     
  32. Spike's Mom

    Spike's Mom Member

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    Aine I hope you and Saoirse are doing better today. This newbie hasn't quite got the hang of offering help for managing a diabetic cat yet. All I can offer at this time is my emotional support and a lot of prayers for both of you.
     
  33. Mitzelplik's Mom

    Mitzelplik's Mom Member

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    ((((Aine & Saoirse))))
    I can't help with advice. Just sending hugs and positive thoughts for both of you.
     
  34. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    I think I've managed to stabilize Saoirse. She was still quite lethargic yesterday morning, though thankfully nothing like as bad as she was on Friday. I spoke with one of our own vets again yesterday morning and we've started Saoirse back on her Nutramed anti-inflammatory supplement (milk thistle, boswellia, maritime pine bark) plus a SID dose of ondansetron. I've also temporarily switched her back to home-poached chicken breast with a little pumpkin and taurine added and she's eating fine for me (the relief!). She did produce a much healthier poop on Saturday morning (more relief!). Waiting for the next one (all going well should be tomorrow morning). Saoirse improved a good bit as the day went on.

    Saoirse has been much more sociable today. She's still quite tired but there have been several times today when she held her head up, looking alert and regal, and she spent most of the day on the sofa instead of hiding or withdrawing to her snuggle cave. I'm so relieved to see her a bit better, but I'm back again to trying to find a complete food that she can tolerate. Thank you all so much for your prayers and positive vibes, and for the support and hugs (which I need so badly right now and appreciate so much - I spent most of Friday and Saturday alternating between crying and wanting to throw up.)

    I don't know what to do about pain relief for my girl going forward. I've been thinking about how she was after the second time I gave her the higher dose. She really was very groggy after it. The specialist said that because Saoirse seemed OK on the first dose then it couldn't be the bupe that upset her system. From seeing Saoirse, I am very much wondering whether the first dose hadn't cleared her system properly and the second dose piled on top of it? If it was a spontaneous pancreatitis flare-up I don't think she'd be making as much progress as she is. Thoughts?

    I'll reply to the posts above tomorrow. I'm absolutely shattered but I wanted to let ye all know how Saoirse is doing and to thank you all for being there for us.

    ((((((((Hugs))))))))

    .
     
  35. Tiger(GA) and Ruth

    Tiger(GA) and Ruth Well-Known Member

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    (((((Aine & Saoirse)))) Thanks for the update- I hope you are resting cmfortably as I type this, big hugs during this difficult time-there is nothing worse than when our fur babies are not feeling well. Hooray for healthy poop! (where else in the world can I say this and not get funny looks! :rolleyes:)

    From Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook

    "in cats, buprenorphine has a volume of distribution [Vd(ss)]
    of approximately 8 L/kg and a clearance of about 20 mL/kg/min.
    Elimination half-life is about 6-7 hours. When administered via
    oral mucosa (liquid placed into the side of cat’s mouth), absorption
    was comparable to that seen with IM or IV administration."

    I have only spaced out Tiger's doses of bupe at 12 hour intervals, and after her first dose of 0.3, every dose afterward was 1/3 of that amount.

    I meant to say this yesterday, I had wondered if the stress of going in for the testing and scans could have provoked a pancreatitis flare up myself! I don't know if studies have proven this or not, but I have heard of caregivers saying their kitties get UTI's from the stress of vet visits. Sending continuing healing vines and prayers for both of you! :bighug:
     
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  36. Bron and Sheba (GA)

    Bron and Sheba (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Hi Aine,
    I am sorry you are having more worries with Saoire.:bighug:

    I gave Sheba Bupe about a year ago. We call it temgesic in Australia.
    She had been very unwell from unknown cause and they were treating the pain they thought she was in.
    I had brought her home from the vet, and she didn't seem to be too bad. I gave her a temgesic 200 micrograms under the tongue as ordered in the evening and she became extremely drowsy, lethargic, wouldn't eat or drink or communicate with me for many hours. Couldn't lift her head. I thought she was extremely ill.
    She was much better the next day but the penny hadn't dropped :rolleyes: and I gave her another tablet the next night. Again the same thing happened and I sat up with her all night expecting the end any moment. I couldn't believe she had got to that stage so quickly.
    My DH commented to me that she looked drugged and that is when the penny dropped. She eventually went from being unresponsive to suddenly sitting up and eating a bowl full of food, much to my astonishment and delight.
    The drug has a strong sedating effect in my experience and Sheba was unable to eat or drink or take herself to the toilet when she was on that dose. I didn't give it again.
    I have since tried a quarter of a tablet when she had a flare up of pancreatitis late last year and that seemed plenty for her, however I don't think the drug suits her metabolism.
    I know many use it successfully but I would think in much smaller doses than I gave.
    :bighug::bighug::bighug: To you and dear Saoirse.
    Bron
     
  37. bsmith

    bsmith Member

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    It's always amazing how much differently some cats (and people too) react to certain medications. One cat, no problem, another cat, sedated out of their gourd (I myself often have side effects from medications that the doctors and nurses have never heard of, though they can be found on the drug companies' extended side effect lists. I'm a special, special snowflake apparently.) I'm glad your DH's statement helped you to figure out what was going on.

    I've given my cat Edwin the same dose of buprenorphine that Saoirse was initially given and it didn't really sedate him at all, though it did make him stare off into the distance a lot. I stopped using buprenorphine since it didn't seem to do anything for his pain. On the other hand, Edwin seemed to be very sensitive to Lantus. I guess it is true, ECID.

    Áine, I hope tomorrow is even better than today. :)

    Edit: A thought on pain medications, perhaps tramadol or gabapentin. Those were the ones suggested for Edwin, though for long term use for arthritis pain. I've found tramadol to be better for joint pain and/or post injury/surgery pain. Gabapentin is better for neuropathic pain, but may also be very helpful for Saoirse's pain. Unfortunately, pain medication, like many medications, works differently in different cats so you may have to try a few before finding the medication that is the best for her.
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2015
  38. Erinia

    Erinia Member

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    This is honestly the first time I've heard of buprenorphine being used in cats. It's a drug that typically used to ease withdrawals for opiate addiction and provides minimal pain relief. The reason it works as a withdrawal drug is because it binds to the opioid receptors and blocks the effects of other opioids. buprenorphine also has a HALF LIFE of at least 24 hours, but up to 56. The websites that I reviewed seemed to have a lot of incorrect information regarding this drug. You can find more information about this drug by googling subutex.

    (I provide Methadone/Buprenorphine treatment for a living).
     
  39. bsmith

    bsmith Member

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    Just as methadone is sometimes used for pain so is buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a narcotic analgesic used for moderate to severe pain. (For human use see the first two listings on this page http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0000276/). It is indeed used to treat opiate addiction, often in conjunction with naloxone to prevent misuse, but it does work as a pretty strong pain medication also. Your opiate dependent patients probably have much more of a tolerance than our opiate "naïve" cats :) .

    Edit: @Erinia, it should also be noted that your patients are taking a higher dosage of buprenorphine, which is when it acts as a detox medication (Do you switch your patients to suboxone after a few days? Subutex alone is easily abused.) It is at lower dosages that buprenorphine seems to work as a pain medication. It's always amazing how little is often known about medications in common use. Even the medical literature contradicts itself from paper to paper. Thanks for making me go look at this information again. I did review it when my cat was put on buprenorphine, but that was a while ago.
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2015
  40. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    @Erinia - thank you very much for the information on buprenorphine, in particular for how long its half-life is. I really do think the second 0.3ml dose built on the first one, and the long half-life would give more credence to that position.

    @bsmith - thank you, too, for the additional information about the drug.


    Saoirse's doing fairly OK at the moment, but she did have runny poop for the first time in a very long time last night and she is experiencing intermittent bouts of discomfort. (((Saoirse))) I'm waiting to hear back from our own vets after they speak with the specialist.
     
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  41. bsmith

    bsmith Member

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    I hope you get good news. In the meantime, I'll be thinking good pooping and healing thoughts for Saoirse ;) .
     
  42. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Thank you. :) I'm hoping I get the result we need with our own vets. They know Saoirse.

    It's my little Bonnie Munchkin's birthday tomorrow. It makes me so very sad that I can't give her some tuna to celebrate.
     
  43. bsmith

    bsmith Member

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    The vets you know and who know Saoirse are always preferable, especially since your vets seem to be very nice and caring.

    I haven't been around long enough to know about Bonnie Munchkin. Is she a civvie or a GA?
     
  44. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Bonnie Munchkin is one of my heart names for Saoirse. :)

    Our vets are great. I'm so grateful that we have such a caring and supportive team to turn to.
     
  45. Karen & Rudy

    Karen & Rudy Member

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    Sep 26, 2014
    Happy (almost) Birthday Saoirse!!!!!!!!! Feel better :)
     
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  46. bsmith

    bsmith Member

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    Jan 26, 2015
    Gotcha. I have a bunch of those for Edwin too :) .
     
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  47. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2015
    Oh Saoirse, feel better soon. And Happy Birthday for tomorrow (you share a birthday with my Rosa and Regan by the way...want to come over and party? Only healthy treats, I promise!) :)
     
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  48. christoph

    christoph Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2015
    Aine, a special prayer for Saoirse's full recovery and one to give you some peace while you cope with it all......and an early special Happy Birthday wish for Saoirse.
     
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  49. Nancy & Cootie (GA)

    Nancy & Cootie (GA) Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2014
    :)Happy Birthday Saoirse. We're rooting for you & your mom to feel better soon:bighug:
    Aine, thoughts and prayers with you ... Nancy
     
  50. Blamethecats and Hannah

    Blamethecats and Hannah Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2014
    Hi, Áine. Just found the updates to your post before heading off to bed. And Hannah and I certainly didn't want to miss the opportunity to wish your Bonnie Munchkin a very happy birthday. Here's hoping you've both had a better day, today. Hugs and blessings to both of you. That's a low-carb, high protein cake, of course!
    cat-popping-out-gift.gif
     
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  51. Cilantro

    Cilantro New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2016
    My Samantha Sweetiepie was just diagnosed with FIV. She came to us this way from an ignorant neighbor who had reassured us she had been vaccinated and tested before giving her to us, a household with two other live-in cats. The mighty three have lived lovingly together for three years, without any spread of the disease. However, Samantha had to have her leg amputated a couple of weeks ago. When we put her on Buprenorphine, we also had her on antibiotics of various kinds to try and get the disease out of her bone before we took more desperate measures. She had diarrhea. I put her on a probiotic regimen, adding a powder to every meal, and also mixed pumpkin into her food to help her form healthy stools.
    When I was recently diagnosed for Type 1 Diabetes, my scientist father encouraged his department, when he was chair, to start researching the cause of it. Right now, a hypothesis they are working with is that the overuse of antibiotics can destroy the gut bacteria in humans to the point of disabling someone's capacity to digest foods appropriately, leading to a destruction of the functioning of the digestive system and processing of sugars, causing Type 1 Diabetes. So when I saw diarrhea, I immediately went to the probiotics for Samantha as a precautionary measure. We all know about eating yogurt after taking antibiotics, but I am thinking a much more proactive measure needs to be taken with a kitty that already is fighting off a disease. She is doing great, by the way, and started having very healthy bowel movements a few days before I ended her meds. And yes, there is withdrawal in kitties from Buprenorphine. As we are substance abuse counselors, and she was on the medication for a couple of months, we knew to wean her off of it slowly...but she is definitely experiencing discomfort from the withdrawal, and it is a different kind of suffering that from any residual pain from the surgery. There is a sadness in her that wasn't evident while she was still on the medication, but that, too, is becoming diminished with each passing day. She is a very brave kitty, and otherwise is recovering really well.
     
  52. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    Thank you for sharing the research and information with us here on FDMB!

    I am glad that Samantha is recovering well, she certainly does sound like a brave girl. :cat:
     
  53. Blamethecats and Hannah

    Blamethecats and Hannah Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2014
    @Cilantro, thanks for the info. Very interesting and informative! And best wishes to Samantha as she continues to recover. You are an excellent kitty mom, indeed!
     
  54. jayla-n-Drevon

    jayla-n-Drevon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2015
    I just saw this Mogs--how are things going today?
     
  55. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    @jayla-n-Drevon - It's an old thread from last year. That said, things are problematic at the moment. Saoirse has become hypertensive and she has been put on amlodipine. It's making her feel really sick and I'm having major difficulty trying to get food into her. :(


    Mogs
    .
     
  56. jayla-n-Drevon

    jayla-n-Drevon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2015
    Im sorry Mogs--these little ones really have a way of taking hold of our hearts.... prayers for you and your sweet Saoirse:bighug:
     
  57. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    She's really not well tonight (and therefore I'm not doing great either). :( Thank you for praying for us, Jayla. :bighug:


    Mogs
    .
     
  58. Elizabeth and Bertie

    Elizabeth and Bertie Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2010
    Mogs, I am so sorry to hear this. How very distressing for you....

    Our old tortie, Sophie, had a bad reaction to bupe just a few weeks ago. (She was given it as pain relief prior to an emergency dental. She was eating very little and had lost a serious amount of weight.) But she had an atypical response to the bupe.... She lost her appetite completely and would eat nothing (the opposite of what we needed to happen...). She was restless, anxious, unable to sleep at all, and also....'scared'.... She seemed scared of everything, including us, and kept running away and hiding. The vet thought that she may have been hallucinating (as bupe is an opiate). He said this kind of reaction was quite unusual...

    I do hope Saoirse is feeling better very, very soon.
    Huge hugs to you, :bighug::bighug::bighug: (((Mogs))):bighug::bighug::bighug:,

    Eliz
    .
     
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  59. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2013
    Mogs, I just saw this thread. I've been...well let's say busy at work (in reality, busy isn't descriptive enough!). I'm so so sorry to hear that Saoirse isn't doing well. I have no advice to offer on this, but I have tons of hugs, chin scritches, and healing vines to send you.
     
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  60. Shoeskitty-GA

    Shoeskitty-GA Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    Mogs, sending prayers for Saoirse's blood pressure and not eating! Prayers for you as well!
     
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  61. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2015
    Mogs, just saw this. Sending tons and tons of feel better vines for your sweet Saoirse :bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
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