Side Effects Of Meloxicam For Dogs & Alternatives
Giving pain medications to your pet dog is never an easy task. You have to consider the safety of your canine when administering analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications. Before you do it, ask your vet about the right drug to be given, the correct dose, side-effects, drug interaction, and route of administration. Meloxicam for dogs, more popularly known as Metacam, is the drug of choice for pain in canines. Keep in mind that the brand Mobic, which contains Meloxicam as well, is just for human consumption. For this reason, you should never administer Mobic to your pet.
To know more about this analgesic medication, continue reading below.
What Is Meloxicam for Dogs?
Meloxicam is a drug that is used to treat pain, inflammation, and stiffness in dogs with a musculoskeletal disease such as osteoarthritis. It is an FDA-approved Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID) that is also used to reduce pain caused by surgery in dogs. Meloxicam should not be given without the prescription of a veterinarian.
Mobic is the most popular brand name of Meloxicam that is intended for humans. This drug should never be given to dogs because it can cause adverse reactions that can be fatal.
Dosage of Meloxicam
Bear in mind that it is not recommended to give Metacam to dogs without a doctor’s (vet) order. The initial dose that is considered safe and effective is 0.09 – 0.1 mg/lb. once a day. This can be administered orally (tablet) and by using a syringe (oral suspension). For smaller dogs, it is recommended to mix Metacam oral suspension with foods only.
After the first dose, you can give 0.045 – 0.05 mg/lb. twice daily on the succeeding days. The drug strength of Meloxicam is about 7.5mg/tab and this can be given with or without food. There is also a liquid version of Meloxicam or the Meloxicam oral suspension that can be mixed with your dog’s food.
Depending on your pet’s response on Meloxicam, the vet may adjust the dosage until the lowest possible dose is achieved. There is also a Meloxicam solution that can be injected intramuscularly to your canine. For a missed dose, give the standard dose as soon as possible and continue with the routine. Never give two doses at a single time.
Side Effects of Meloxicam in Dogs
Like any other NSAIDs, the most common side-effect of Meloxicam is gastrointestinal (GI) upset. Noticeable changes in your dog’s behavior may also be noted.
The following are the more common side-effects of Meloxicam (Metacam):
- Vomiting of blood
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Black, tarry stool
- Muscle weakness and fatigue
- Increased thirst and excessive urination
- Swelling of the lower extremities and other parts of the body due to fluid retention
- Weight loss
- Yellowing of eyes, gums, and skin
- Itchiness
- Changes in behavior
Hypersensitivity or allergic reaction can also occur, especially when your dog has an allergy to Meloxicam and other NSAIDs. This could lead to anaphylactic shock that can be deadly. Metacam should not be given to puppies, pregnant, and nursing dogs.
Cost of Meloxicam
One Meloxicam 7.5 mg tablet costs $0.18 – $0.35. There are also some dealers who sell 14-pc tablets for $16 – $20. A bottle of Metacam oral suspension 1.5mg/ml 32 ml for dogs costs $50 – $75 while one bottle of 1.5mg/ml 100 ml costs $120 – $150.
Where to Buy Meloxicam For Dogs
If you are looking to buy Meloxicam you can find it here.
Interaction with Other Drugs
Meloxicam (Metacam) should not be given with other NSAIDs such as Carprofen, Etodolac, Deracoxib, and Firocoxib. It should not also be taken with these corticosteroids – Dexamethasone, Prednisone, Cortisone, Traminolone. Lastly, Meloxicam should not be paired with Aspirin because it can cause devastating effects.
Ingredients In Meloxicam
Metacam contains the active ingredient meloxicam that blocks cyclooxygenase (COX) – the enzyme responsible for promoting inflammation in both humans and animals. Some of the inactive ingredients of Meloxicam (Metacam) include povidone, sodium citrate dihydrate, colloidal silicon dioxide, and lactose monohydrate.
Meloxicam Alternatives
Below are some of the Meloxicam alternatives that can help manage pain and inflammation in your dogs:
- Glucosamine
Glucosamine is a popular supplement that can help treat pain and inflammation caused by musculoskeletal diseases such as osteoarthritis. Glucosamine supplements are generated from crushed shells of a variety of shellfish synthesized in the lab. These help increase the production of synovial fluid and cartilage that cushion the joints – thus relieving pain and inflammation.
- Yucca
Yucca is an herb native to some parts of America that’s believed to possess powerful anti-inflammatory properties. The edible roots of the yucca plant are packed with saponin compound that helps reduce inflammation. Yucca is also believed to be as effective as a prescription analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Arnica
Arnica is another plant herb that grows in Europe and North America. The flowers of arnica are extracted to make a powerful oil that can be used to treat inflammation in dogs. Arnica extract is available in many other forms such as gels and capsules. However, too much use of arnica may be toxic to your canines.
- Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for all kinds of disease symptoms such as pain and inflammation. Aside from these, acupuncture therapy also helps relieve behavioral symptoms that aggravate the dog’s pain condition. Stimulating specific points in your dog’s body will help ease the pain and inflammation in your canine.
- CBD Oil
The wonders of CBD oil are considered mainstream success nowadays. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a hemp extract that is used as a treatment for all kinds of pain and inflammation. Most CBD products are being legalized all over the world due to their exemplary beneficial effects on humans. Cannabidiol is not a psychotropic drug – meaning, it does not mind-altering chemical substances. It is safe to use for both humans and animals.
CBD oil works naturally with the endocannabinoid system that plays an important role in regulating different body functions such as relieving pain and inflammation, and maintaining balance. CBD oil also relieves the dog’s anxiety and stress that speeds up the recovery process. The recommended dose of CBD oil for dog pain and inflammation is 1 mg/ml for every 5 lbs. of your dog’s body weight. To be sure, ask your vet about it.
Understanding a dog’s pain and inflammation can be pretty challenging. However, you need to know and understand the cause of these conditions to give the appropriate treatments. Pain medications such as NSAIDs are the primary drug treatments for different musculoskeletal diseases.
Meloxicam (Metacam) for dogs is an NSAID that treats pain and inflammation. But if you want a more natural way of treating osteoarthritis pain in your canine, consider CBD oil as an alternative. This powerful hemp extract is definitely a must-try!
References:
https://www.petmd.com/pet-medication/meloxicam-metacam#
https://www.goodrx.com/metacam
https://www.drugs.com/vet/metacam-oral-suspension.html
https://www.cbdoil.org/cbd-oil-for-dogs/
https://www.treehousepuppies.com/dog/supplements/metacam-alternatives-for-dogs/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6065210/
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=c27c35d7-07e1-47d4-97cd-ed1fb17750ce&type=display
https://dogtime.com/dog-health/54763-meloxicam-metacam-dogs-uses-dosage-side-effects