In veterinary medicine, canine meloxicam is a widely used drug, so it is important that healthcare professionals know clearly what and how it is administered, in order to avoid adverse effects from improper use. In addition to explaining the uses and dosages of this drug, we will also mention its side effects.
In this Animal Expert article, we’ll give you all the information so you know more about this medicine. As always, when it comes to medicines, the first thing you should know is that only the veterinarian can prescribe them and that you should never care for an animal alone.
- Meloxicam is an active substance with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
- Specifically.
- It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory or NSAID.
- Therefore.
- It is used when the animal has moderate or severe pain.
- In case of musculoskeletal damage.
Administration is more common in short treatments. For example, it is usually prescribed for 2-3 days after castration surgery, to prevent the newly operated animal from feeling discomfort and, for the same reason, during the preoperative period. Prescription after traumatic operations or as an analgesic for osteoarthritis in dogs is also common. Therefore, it is a more chosen drug for acute course situations and for treatments of a few days, although of course it is an optional criterion.
For sale, you can find different presentation formats of meloxicam for dogs. The veterinarian, as the case may be, will choose the most appropriate way of administering the medicinal product. It is possible to find the product in a thick liquid, which can be administered to the animal directly in the mouth or with the food consumed. There are also meloxicam tablets for dogs, with a composition pleasant to the palate, which makes possible their voluntary ingestion, without having to force them.
In general, as you can see, meloxicam can be administered at home without any problem. The veterinarian shall determine the appropriate dose for each dog, as well as on the days of treatment. The medicine should be given in a single dose every 24 hours. In some cases, it may be the veterinarian himself who injects meloxicam into the dog.
Dog meloxicam is given at a rate of 0.2 mg per kg body weight on the first day, and in half, or 0.1 mg per kg, for the rest of the treatment days. It is important to consider this dose reduction. If you use liquid medication, it usually has a dispenser that facilitates administration because it is a syringe that you can fill according to the weight of the dog. In addition, in this case, the veterinarian may recommend that you use the drug in drops, which may be easier for caregivers.
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 charge you for each one individually. The approximate price of this medicine is 5.00 reais the length and 50.00 reais the box of 10 tablets. If, on the other hand, you have to opt for the liquid format, you will pay for the whole bottle and the value is about 70.00 reais.
As for where to buy dog meloxicam, the recommendations of the veterinarian should be followed, 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 prescription.
If you follow your veterinarian’s protocol for administering meloxicam to dogs, it is most normal not to notice any side effects. Still, some animals may suffer kidney damage, which can even lead to acute or chronic kidney failure. Precisely because of these possible kidney damage, it is not a recommended medicine when the dog is already dehydrated or hypotensed.
Other symptoms of sensitivity to this medicine include anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy. These complications usually occur at the start of treatment and, in most cases, disappear when the medication is discontinued, although less often they can cause serious or fatal injury, as mentioned in the case of the kidney system. In addition, an inadequate dose can cause poisoning, especially with digestive symptoms.
The use of meloxicam in pregnant or lactating, or in puppies less than 6 weeks old or weighing less than 4 kg is prohibited. In the case of animals suffering from any previous disease such as heart, kidney, liver or hemorrhagic diseases, it is essential to consult the veterinarian before use.
If you think the medicine has had any side effects on your dog, you should immediately inform your veterinarian. Especially in cases of kidney failure, it is essential that treatment is initiated as soon as possible. Even with early care, the prognosis is reserved.
Metacam and meloxicam for dogs are the same. There are different pharmacological societies that market meloxicam and each one does so under a different name. One of them is Metacam, but the active substance meloxicam can be found under other trademarks that, as we said, depend on the company that manufactures and markets it.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read articles similar to, we recommend that you visit our Medicines section.