Content
- What is meloxicam for dogs?
- Dosage and presentations of meloxicam for dogs
- Doses of meloxicam for dogs
- Meloxicam price for dogs
- Meloxicam for Dogs and Side Effects
- Are metacam and meloxicam for dogs the same thing?
In veterinary medicine, the meloxicam for dogs It is a widely used medicine, so it is important that healthcare professionals are clear about what and how it is administered, in order to avoid unwanted effects caused by improper use. In addition to explaining the uses and doses of this medication, we will also mention its side effects.
In this PeritoAnimal article, we will give you all the information so you can know more about this medicine. As always, when talking about medications, the first thing you should know is that only the veterinarian can prescribe them and you should never medicate an animal on your own.
What is meloxicam for dogs?
Meloxicam is an active substance with an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. More specifically, it's a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID. Therefore, it is used when the animal presents moderate or even severe pain, if there is musculoskeletal involvement.
Administration is more common in short treatments. For example, it is usually prescribed for 2-3 days after neutering surgery, to prevent the newly operated animal from feeling discomfort and, for the same reason, in the preoperative period. Prescription after trauma operations or as an analgesic for osteoarthritis in dogs is also common. Therefore, it is a drug of choice for acute course situations and for treatments lasting a few days, although of course this is a optional criterion.
Dosage and presentations of meloxicam for dogs
On sale, you can find different meloxicam presentation formats for dogs. The veterinarian, depending on each case, will choose the most appropriate way to administer the drug. It is possible to find the product in a thick liquid, which can be given to the animal directly in the mouth or with the food eaten. There are also meloxicam tablets for dogs, with a composition that is palatable to them, which makes it possible for them to be voluntarily ingested, without having to force them.
In general, as you can see, meloxicam can be administered at home without any problems. The veterinarian will determine the appropriate dose for each dog, as well as the days of treatment. The drug must be administered in a single dose every 24 hours. In some cases, it may be the veterinarian who will inject the dog with meloxicam.
Doses of meloxicam for dogs
Meloxicam for dogs is given at a rate of 0.2 mg for each kg of body weight on the first day, and half of that, ie 0.1 mg per kg, on the rest of the days of treatment. It is important to keep this dose reduction in mind at all times. If you use the liquid medicine, it usually has a dispenser that makes administration easier because it's a syringe that you can fill according to the dog's weight. Also, in this case, the veterinarian can give you a recommendation to use the medicine in drops, which can be easier for caregivers.
Meloxicam price for dogs
The price of this product will depend on the presentation prescribed by the veterinarian. If it is possible to administer pills, it is common for this professional to cover you for each one individually. The approximate price of this medicine is 5.00 reais a long and 50.00 reais a box of 10 pills. If, instead, you need to opt for the liquid format, you will pay for the entire bottle and the value is around 70.00 reais.
With regard to where to buy the meloxicam for dogs, you must follow the veterinarian's recommendations, as in each country there will be specific legislation on the distribution of medicines for animals. Generally, they can only be purchased in veterinary clinics or, being an active substance for human use, in pharmacies, but always with the corresponding recipe.
Meloxicam for Dogs and Side Effects
If you follow the protocol for administering meloxicam for dogs proposed by your veterinarian, it is most normal not to notice any side effects. Even so, it is possible that some animals suffer kidney damage, which can even lead to acute or chronic kidney failure. Precisely because of this possible damage to the kidneys, it is not a recommended medication when the dog is already dehydrated or hypotensive.
Other symptoms of sensitivity to this medication are anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy. These complications usually occur early in treatment and, in most cases, resolve when the drug is discontinued, although less often they can be the cause of serious or fatal damage, as mentioned in the case of the renal system. Also, an inadequate dose can cause intoxication, especially with digestive symptoms.
It is not allowed to use meloxicam in pregnant or lactating bitches, nor in puppies under 6 weeks or weighing less than 4 kg. In the case of animals suffering from a previous disease such as heart, kidney, liver or hemorrhagic disease, it is essential consult the veterinarian before use.
If you suspect that the medication has caused any side effects on your dog, you should immediately report it to your veterinarian. Especially in cases of renal impairment, it is essential that treatment be started as soon as possible. Even with early attention, the prognosis is reserved.
Are metacam and meloxicam for dogs the same thing?
Metacam and meloxicam for dogs are the same thing. There are different drug companies that market meloxicam and each one does this under a different name. One of them is Metacam, but you can find the active ingredient meloxicam under other trade names which, as we said, depend on the company that manufactures and markets it.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.