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Meloxicam for Dogs – Meloxicam, which is popularly identified by its brand name known as Metacam is a medication used for the reduction of pain and inflammatory condition in dogs who primarily goes through conditions like osteoarthritis.
Although Mobic is the human version of meloxicam, still it can never be exchanged with Metacam and is advised to be not given to dogs.
The best part about this drug is that is trustworthy and has seemed approved by FDA to be used in dogs but you can only take this through a veterinarian’s prescription. In some cases, this can be included in the prescription after the surgery of the dog for the reduction of pain.
Meloxicam: Dosage
The guideline mentioned here regarding meloxicam for dogs should only be followed under your preferred veterinarian’s advice for your pet.
It is highly recommended to stick to the dosage your vet instructs. Since a slight high in overdose of meloxicam for dogs could build a higher tendency of discomfort symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness, fainting, headache, seizures, cardiac arrest, slow breathing rate, or other severe side effects.
Check the kennel cough treatment for dogs.
The normal prescribed dosage of meloxicam for dogs is .09 to 0.1 mg per pound on the very initial day of treatment which is being followed by .045 to 0.05 mg per pound under oral administration after the treatment day.
Meloxicam for dogs comes in a liquid form version which serves as an addition to your dog’s food, and your vet will further advise you regarding the form of meloxicam for dogs that are best suitable for the treatment of your dog’s condition.
The adjustment of the dosage of meloxicam for dogs is generally based on the responsiveness of your dog to the drug. Meloxicam for dogs main goal is to give the lowest possible dose and still provide worthy relief from the symptoms.
Meloxicam for dogs can also be given in the solution form through injection but only if your vet advises that.
Meloxicam for Dogs: How to Use?
Meloxicam is usually prescribed for inflammatory condition, pain, and stiffness resulting from osteoarthritis. It serves the best purpose in the treatment of other symptoms of muscle or bone disorders.
Meloxicam for dogs relieves the body by reduction of hormones in the body that leads to severe pain and inflammation and the best part is it does so without being dependent on steroids.
Vets sometimes prescribe meloxicam for reducing the pain in dogs in case of recent surgery or after an injury. Meloxicam for dogs can be used both in the treatment of both chronic conditions and in short-term, acute pain symptoms and inflammatory conditions.
Meloxicam for Dogs: Side Effects
The most popular side effects of meloxicam for dogs involves gastrointestinal upset which is very much in common with other NSAID medications. If symptoms become extremely severe or alarming, then it is advisable to take proper advice from your vet. According to their recommendation, there can be a proper adjustment of the dosage or find maybe an alternative treatment.
Some common side effects of meloxicam for dogs are as follows:
- Discharge of blood – Frequent discharge of blood is very common. The colour of the blood may range from deep red, brown to black. The blood may surface from stool or vomits.
- Increase in weight – There’s a remarkable increase in weight of dogs after fluid retention and the body gets a bit swelled up too.
- Jaundice – There is an increased chance of being diagnosed with jaundice which is yellowish skin colour, gums and eyes. It is even followed by frequent thirst and an urge to urinate.
- Increased discomfort – The discomfort level increases with extreme fatigue and weakness. There is also a higher tendency of abdominal pain and stomach ulcer.
- Weight loss – This is one of the most common side effects. Sudden weight loss followed by some change in behavioural pattern is common.
Puppies or dogs who are pregnant or in the nursing condition is not recommended to take meloxicam. It’s advisable to inform your vet regarding all the other medical conditions of your dog especially if it includes renal or cardiovascular conditions.
Not only your vet should be properly aware of all medications your dog is undertaking, but also all over-the-counter drugs, as the reaction of these can react poorly with meloxicam.
Meloxicam for Dogs: Procedure to Consume
Meloxicam is available in all forms be it oral liquid, oral spray, injection, or easily chewable tablets for dogs. It is also available in pill form, in which your veterinarian prescription may include as ‘off label’ or ‘extra-label’ for large dogs.
Many drugs are included in a prescription for off label usage in veterinary medicine. In such cases, you should strictly follow your guidelines of the veterinarian and take necessary precautions.
Before the intake of oral liquid, it is recommended to properly shake the bottle. You should carefully do the measurement of the dose as per the direction of your veterinarian.
Chewable tablets should be taken as per the guidelines given by your veterinarian. Most often people give meloxicam with food for reduction of gastrointestinal side effects.
The oral spray is sprayed properly inside the spaces of the cheek. Your veterinarian will further provide you with specified instructions regarding further administering the medication. This medication usually takes about 1 to 2 hours to heal.
Meloxicam for Dogs: Availability and Supplying conditions
Meloxicam for dogs are widely available in form of Tablets, USP 7.5 mg has availability in light yellow coloured oval-shaped like formation which is an uncoated tablet engraved in S 160 on one side and plain on another side.
The availability of Meloxicam Tablets, USP 7.5 mg are as follows:
Bottles of 100 NDC: 60505-3578-1
Bottles of 500 NDC: 60505-3578-5
It should be stored at a temperature between 20° to 25° C (68° to 77° F). You can also keep a check at USP Controlled Room Temperature. It is strictly advisable to Keep Meloxicam Tablets, USP in a very dry place after dispensing the tablets in a tight container.
The inactive ingredients that meloxicam tablets are composed of are USP include colloidal silicon dioxide compound, crospovidone, Iron oxide which is also known as Ferric Oxide, lactose monohydrate compound, magnesium stearate compound, microcrystalline cellulose compound, povidone and sodium citrate dihydrate compound.
You are required to keep this and the entire medications out of the reach of children.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is it safe to give my dog meloxicam twice a day?
A: In case if you forget to feed your dog with a Metacam dose, you are required to give it as soon as possible. On the other hand, if the time of the next medical is very close then it would be best to miss a dose since it’s not advisable to give two doses at once. Meloxicam can be proved to be fatal if you overdose it.
Q2. Does meloxicam will hurt my dog?
A: Meloxicam is a kind of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug which is used in the treatment of reducing pain and inflammatory conditions in both humans and dogs. Meloxicam for dogs is safe to give to dogs in the specified amount given by the vet in the prescription. You should take care of the fact that your dog doesn’t take overdose on it. An overdose of meloxicam overdose can lead to stomach ulcers and kidney failure.
Q3. How much time does meloxicam take to function?
A: The normal time meloxicam for dogs can take up to function is gradually between two weeks – three weeks for functioning effectively. Some symptoms like pain, swelling of the body, tenderness, or stiffness could be noticed within 24 to 72 hours, but sometimes it might take a longer time to notice a large difference in pain levels of your per.
Q4. In what duration should I give meloxicam to my dog?
A: During giving Meloxicam to dogs dosing is very important since a quarter of a tablet is more than enough for a minimum 45-pound dog. The most common and noticeable side effect of Meloxicam for dogs is a decrease in appetite and vomiting. Although Dogs can sometimes overdose on Meloxicam, leading to many different severe symptoms.
Q5. How many mL of meloxicam is advisable to give to dogs?
A: It is advisable to give 5mg/mL meloxicam to dogs. Meloxicam for dogs is also available in solution forms like injection which is useful for reducing pain and other inflammatory conditions in association with osteoarthritis. It is required to be extremely careful after considering the potential benefits and risk which is associated with the usage of Metacam and other treatment options available before deciding to use Metacam.
Q6. How to give meloxicam to dogs in liquid form?
A: For dogs who weigh less than 5 lbs or 2.3 kg, You can use Metacam Oral Suspension with the use of the dropper bottle. It is suggested to give one drop for each pound of bodyweight of the dog for the 1.5 mg/mL concentration which is two drops for each kilogram of body weight), and then you have to drop it directly onto the food.
Q7. Is there a chance that Metacam damages the liver of dogs?
A: Metacam Oral Suspension can be only used in the case of dogs.
As a class, cyclo-oxygenase inhibitory NSAIDs might be in association with gastrointestinal, kidney, or liver side effects. According to reports, the most common side effects are vomiting and soft stool/diarrhoea. The symptoms are usually mild, but sometimes might be serious.
Q8. What is advisable to take alongside with Meloxicam?
A: It is recommended to avoid intake of aspirin while you are undertaking meloxicam until and unless your doctor asks you to do so. You may ask your vet or pharmacist before using other medicines for symptoms like pain, fever, swelling, or cold/flu symptoms. It may include ingredients like which is similar to meloxicam for instance aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen.
Q9. Is meloxicam stronger than ibuprofen?
A: The intake of meloxicam is dosed once daily and can only be taken with a proper vet’s prescription. Meloxicam for dogs is more potent than ibuprofen. Although OTC ibuprofen is not as effective as in comparison with prescription-strength ibuprofen which is used for moderate pain.
Q10. Is there any natural sedative for dogs?
A: Several common ingredients constitute many calming products for dogs. L-theanine and L-tryptophan are both amino acids that are useful for the reduction of the responsiveness of the stress to your body and the promotion of relaxation. There are two natural sedative herbs called Valerian and chamomile are both that are often found in calming supplements.
Q11. What medicines does the vet use to put dogs down?
A: The euthanasia medication which is most common among vets is pentobarbital, which is a seizure medication. Although if given large doses of it there is a higher tendency that it would quickly make the pet unconscious which would further shut down their heart and the functioning of the brain gradually within one or two minutes.
Q12. Is it okay to wake up the dog after euthanasia?
A: It might take a minute or two to stop the functioning of the heart. The vet will listen to your pet’s heart in a very careful manner for assurance that it would stop before the pronunciation of him or her gone. There is no risk of your pet waking up after that.
Q13. Is it true that dogs are scared when they are euthanized?
A: The veterinarians are perfectly trained to ease these experiences and make them less painful and as much peace as possible. There is the probability that your dog may react to the sedative which is given before euthanasia. There is a higher tendency that their eyes might start to jitter as they sometimes become very dizzy. The final needle is injected after that, the dog’s breathing changes are very noticeable that.
Conclusion
Meloxicam for dogs is just like other drugs and is not free from severe adverse reactions. It is advisable for owners regarding the potentiality of adverse reactions and is necessary to have proper information of the clinical signs which are in association with drug intolerance.
Some adverse reactions may include symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, decrease in appetite, dark or tarry stools, increase in water consumption, the increased urge of urination, pale gums due to anaemia, yellowing of gums, skin or whitening of the eye due to jaundice, lethargy, incoordination, seizure, or change in behavioural pattern.
