Meloxicam in Veterinary Use
Meloxicam is a veterinary nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, not a general household pain reliever. Dose, route, species, hydration, organ function, and concurrent medications determine whether it is appropriate.
As part of Community Care Pharmacy’s veterinary medication support, this page connects pain and inflammation medication information with practical pharmacy questions such as prescription workflow, label context, refill timing, access, and safety boundaries. Pain diagnosis, NSAID selection, dosing, monitoring, and treatment changes should remain veterinarian-directed.
What Meloxicam Is
Meloxicam is an NSAID used to control pain and inflammation in selected veterinary cases. Oral dog products and injectable products have different labels, and cat safety rules are especially important.
Dosage and Administration
For label-based context, the METACAM oral suspension label is for oral use in dogs only. It lists an initial dog dose of 0.2 mg/kg on day 1, followed by 0.1 mg/kg once daily after day 1, using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual response. That label also gives detailed administration directions for drops, syringe use, and small dogs.
Those label details must not be generalized to cats, human meloxicam tablets, other NSAIDs, or animals with dehydration, kidney disease, liver disease, gastrointestinal disease, or recent steroid or NSAID exposure. Measuring accuracy matters because oral suspensions, syringes, and concentration differences can create dosing errors.
Forms and Practical Use
Meloxicam may be used as oral suspension or injectable medication depending on the case and jurisdiction. It may be part of an osteoarthritis, postoperative, injury, or inflammation plan, but it does not replace diagnosis, rest instructions, weight management, dental or orthopedic treatment, or follow-up exams.
Monitoring and Safety
NSAID safety is central. FDA advice on pain control and veterinary NSAIDs highlights risk factors such as dehydration, kidney, heart, or liver disease, recent corticosteroid use, and certain concurrent medications. Owners should watch for vomiting, diarrhea, black stool, appetite loss, lethargy, increased thirst, urinary changes, jaundice, or behavior changes.
Warnings, Contraindications, and Interactions
Do not combine meloxicam with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids unless the veterinarian has specifically managed the transition. FDA information on the boxed warning for meloxicam safety risks in cats is a reminder that species assumptions can be dangerous. Human ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, and acetaminophen should not be used as casual alternatives.
Species-Specific Pages
Related Guides and Comparisons
Meloxicam should be used only under veterinary direction, with extra caution in cats, dehydrated animals, older animals, and patients with kidney, liver, heart, or gastrointestinal risk.