Meningioma and Med Dosage

[Kivstev]

I have a 20 y/o cat that had a meningioma removed 3 years ago. As predicted his symptoms are back. He is ataxic with grand mal seizures every 48 hours or so. The seizures last about 2 minutes. Blood tests show his liver values are in the high range. Currently he is on 2ml Phenobarb twice/day and 5mg Prednisolone once/day. My vet refuses to let me go up with the Pred. I argue that since his time may be coming to an end why not go with 5mg Pred twice/day, but the vet does not budge. I also think that the Pheno is on the low end for a 10 pound cat with the amount of seizures he is having.

Opinions please!

[Savas]

Eh...your only option is to try a few different vets and see if one will go along.

I understand your attitude if "He's going to die anyway at this rate, why not try it?"

but your vet is probably concerned about lawsuits and government fines for malpractice if the medication causes a "death related event" (legal ease, sorta)  The FDA can go after him for prescription misusage if he isn't careful and pull his license or fine him.

So you can hope that he's just playing it safe and maybe another vet may be more lenient and less afraid of consequences.

Let us know how kitty is doing, and sorry for the troubles.

[Kivstev]

Thanks for the comment. I am seeing a feline Neurologist today. I've been doing much research online and just seem to find much higher dosages of these drugs being dispensed for cats with similar problems. My vet seems to be afraid of liver toxicity. My understanding is that if that should happen it would be a distant event and the cat may not have long to go.