Veterinary 2025 Guide: Meloxicam (Metacam®) for Pain & Inflammation in Dogs & Cats 🐾🩺

Hello, I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc. In this 2025 guide, we explore meloxicam—a COX-2–preferential NSAID used in dogs and occasionally in cats—to manage pain and inflammation. We'll cover approved uses, dosing, safety, monitoring, contraindications, and client care supported by Ask A Vet tools 😊.

🔎 1. What Is Meloxicam?

Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) from the oxicam family. In veterinary medicine, it's approved for control of pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis and postoperative care in dogs. A single injectable dose is approved for cats around surgery, but oral use in felines is extra-label and demands caution due to a narrow safety margin :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

🎯 2. Indications in 2025

• Dogs: Chronic osteoarthritis, acute soft tissue and orthopedic postoperative pain :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Cats: Single perioperative injection for pain relief. Oral or repeated use is high-risk and generally discouraged :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

💊 3. Dosage Guidelines

• Dogs (oral): 0.1 mg/kg once daily, adjusting to lowest effective dose :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Dogs (injectable): Administer under veterinary supervision according to label.
• Cats (injectable): Single SC dose before surgery—repeat dosing not recommended :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

⚠️ 4. Common Side Effects

Gastrointestinal upset is most frequent—vomiting, diarrhea, soft stool, decreased appetite, and melena or hemorrhage in severe cases :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}. Other adverse effects include increased thirst, urination, lethargy, and skin reactions :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

🔬 5. Serious Risks & Toxicity

• Kidney injury: Especially in dehydrated pets or cats on repeated doses. Repeated use in cats has caused acute renal failure and deaths :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• GI ulceration or perforation: Possible even at therapeutic doses; signs include dark tarry stools or abdominal pain :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Liver/hematologic effects: Rare hepatic enzyme elevation and mild anemia/leukopenia :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• CNS effects: Seizures or incoordination—rare but noted in overdose or idiosyncratic reactions :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.

🚨 6. Contraindications

• Avoid use in animals with pre-existing GI ulcers or bleeding disorders, kidney or liver disease, dehydration, hypotension, or concurrent corticosteroid/NSAID therapy :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• Not recommended for growing animals under 6‑8 months, or cats receiving repeated dosing :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.

🔄 7. Drug Interactions

Concomitant use with other NSAIDs, corticosteroids, ACE‑inhibitors, diuretics, or nephrotoxic drugs increases kidney and GI risks. NSAID synergy should be strictly avoided :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.

📋 8. Monitoring & Vet Oversight

• Baseline labs: CBC, chemistry, urinalysis before long-term use.
• Recheck in 2‑4 weeks and every 3–6 months thereafter, including renal and hepatic panels :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• Owners should monitor appetite, stools, thirst, urination, vomiting, and behavior daily.

📝 9. Client Education & Home Care

• Explain meloxicam's purpose, dosing, and importance of following the prescription.
• Highlight red-flag signs—vomiting, bloody stools, excessive thirst, lethargy—and advise immediate vet contact.
• Encourage hydration support, especially before and during NSAID therapy.
• Use the Ask A Vet app for daily reminders, symptom tracking, and vet communication 😊.

📌 10. 2025 Vet Takeaways

• Meloxicam is a preferred NSAID for canine arthritis and postoperative pain—administered orally or by injection.
• Extra-label use in cats is high-risk—limit to single injection, under veterinary supervision.
• Monitor for GI, kidney, and liver effects—baseline and periodic bloodwork are essential.
• Avoid in at-risk pets, concurrent nephrotoxic medications, and overdose conditions.
• Client communication and digital adherence tools—like Ask A Vet—enhance safety and outcomes 😊.

At Ask A Vet, we provide dosing schedules, lab reminders, symptom logs, and round‑the‑clock vet messaging to optimize safe NSAID use. Download our app to support confident, informed pain management ❤️