Meloxicam

What is this medication for?

• OA pain/inflammation (chronic)
• Single-dose post-op pain (ovariohysterectomy, orthopedic, castration)
• Chronic low-dose use for OA/CKD pain

How is it given?

Give exactly as your veterinarian prescribed — never change the dose or stop on your own unless your veterinarian has told you to.

• Never give a second injectable/oral dose to a cat under the US label — this is an explicit FDA/manufacturer warning after post-marketing renal failure/death reports, though low-dose chronic use is accepted practice in feline medicine outside the US label and per ISFM/AAFP consensus guidelines.

What if I miss a dose?

• Give it as soon as you remember — unless it is almost time for the next dose (then skip the missed one; never double up).
• Call your clinic if you miss more than one dose in a row.

Side effects — what should I watch for?

Effects listed as common in this handout

• None commonly reported; call your clinic with any concern.

Worth a phone call to your veterinarian

• stomach/intestinal (vomiting, diarrhea, ulceration) (Most common)
• Renal injury (Reported at ≥0.3–0.5 mg/kg and higher (dog); with repeated/dehydrated dosing (cat))
• Elevated liver enzymes, itching, rising kidney values (Post-approval reports)

⚠️ Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY if you notice

• Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, severe vomiting or diarrhea, facial swelling, or pale gums

Before starting (or refilling), tell your veterinarian if your pet:

• has or has had: Hypersensitivity; repeated dosing in cats — FDA black-box-style warning: associated with acute renal failure and death
• has or has had: Dogs <6 months, cats <4 months; hepatic/cardiac/renal impairment; dehydration/hypovolemia/low blood pressure; 5–7 day washout recommended before switching NSAIDs in dogs

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • ACE inhibitors
  • Anticoagulants
  • Aspirin, corticosteroids, other NSAIDs
  • Digoxin
  • Fluconazole
  • Furosemide, kidney damage drugs

Storage and handling

Room temperature. Compounded 0.25/0.5/1.0 mg/mL suspensions stable 28 days at room temp or refrigerated.

Good to know

• Never give a second injectable/oral dose to a cat under the US label — this is an explicit FDA/manufacturer warning after post-marketing renal failure/death reports, though low-dose chronic use is accepted practice in feline medicine outside the US label and per ISFM/AAFP consensus guidelines.
• Oral liquid dosed by "drops" — concentration per drop varies by country/product; measure carefully, don't confuse dropper markings with mL/kg.