Liquid Meloxicam for Dogs

Dogs are prone to experience aches and pains, just like humans. Aging can be a contributing factor to some of those aches and pains. Arthritis, a disease that causes inflammation in joints, especially effects aging dogs and causes them significant pain. If your dog has arthritis, you can administer liquid meloxicam to alleviate the swelling and pain that is associated with this disease. Meloxicam is classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It is similar to over-the-counter drugs such as Aleve and Advil.

  1. Description

    • Meloxicam in liquid form is called Metacam. The liquid is flavored so that dogs will like the taste. It is easier to measure and orally administer the proper dosage to dogs in the liquid form through a syringe. This is why pets are specifically given the liquid form of meloxicam instead of the tablet form. Metacam is the only non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is available as an oral suspension.

    Significance

    • Some types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause serious side effects in dogs, such as ulcers and kidney failure. Because of these side effects, vets developed drugs that could attack inflammation without so many serious health risks. Liquid ,eloxicam is one of those drugs, and it works by attacking the enzymes in the body that are responsible for inflammation while decreasing the risk of stomach and intestinal side effects by fifty percent.

    Approval

    • Meloxicam has been FDA approved for humans for many years; however, it has only been approved for use in pets for a few years. In 2003, the FDA approved meloxicam for canine use in the U.S. It was approved and available in Canada and Europe several years before that.

    Dosage

    • Liquid Meloxicam comes with a syringe that measures out the exact amount of medication according to your dog's weight. The syringe is marked in 5-pound increments, and when it is set to your dog's weight, the appropriate dose is filled inside the syringe. You can give this to your dog directly in his mouth or in his food. Also, there is a version of the liquid that is specifically for smaller breed dogs. The syringe for smaller dogs is marked in 1-pound increments to further ensure that the proper dose is given. Liquid meloxicam is administered to your dog once a day.

    Effectiveness

    • Meloxicam should alleviate your dog's pain within eight hours after administration. The maximum effects should be visible after eight hours. When starting a trial course of the drug, it may take three to four days before you see any results. If your dog does not show signs of relief after ten days of receiving Meloxicam, then it is not working. In this instance, your vet will prescribe another medication.

    Side Effects

    • The most common side effects associated with liquid meloxicam include, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and lethargy. Also, some possible long-term side effects are liver damage, intestinal ulcers, and anorexia. This medication should never be combined with any other anti-inflammatory medications, otherwise, more adverse side effects will occur.