Metacam (Meloxicam oral suspension) is a FDA Approved non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory prescription medication used to help pets who suffer from a degenerative or inflammatory joint condition, such as arthritis. It helps alleviate pain, allowing your pet to live a happier and healthier life. NSAIDs such as Metacam improve your dog's overall mobility by relieving joint pain and inflammation. This prescription medication comes in an oral suspension form, so you can easily give it to your pet by using the syringe provided. Best of all, you can even disguise it in your pal's favorite wet food. Metacam is available in two different strengths (0.5 mg/ml and 1.5 mg/ml) to fit the needs of dogs of all sizes over the age of 6 months.
Metacam
METACAM (meloxicam oral suspension) is a veterinary prescription non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that helps control pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs 6 months and older. Do not use on Cats. Similar to human osteoarthritis (OA), canine OA is a condition in which one or more joints become inflamed and painful and may even be swollen.
The safe use of METACAM (meloxicam oral suspension) in dogs younger than 6 months of age, dogs used for breeding, or in pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. With your veterinarian, carefully consider the potential benefits and risk of METACAM and other treatment options before deciding to use METACAM. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual response. Warnings: Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of reach of children. Consult a physician in case of accidental ingestion by humans. For oral use in dogs only. Contraindication: Dogs with known hypersensitivity to meloxicam should not receive Metacam Oral Suspension. Do not use Metacam Oral Suspension in cats. Acute renal failure and death have been associated with the use of meloxicam in cats.
Pets with known hypersensitivity to Meloxicam should not receive Metacam Oral Suspension. Do not use Metacam Oral Suspension in cats. Acute renal failure and death have been associated with the use of meloxicam in cats.
METACAM (meloxicam oral suspension) is for oral use in dogs only. Repeated use of meloxicam in cats has been associated with acute renal failure and death. Do not administer oral meloxicam to cats. See Contraindications, Warnings, and Precautions for detailed information. As a class, cyclo-oxygenase inhibitory NSAIDs may be associated with gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic toxicity. The most common side effects are vomiting and soft stool or diarrhea. These are usually mild and affect primarily the gastrointestinal system, but more serious side effects can occur. Therefore, NSAIDs should only be administered under the direction of a licensed professional. If you notice side effects in your dog during treatment, stop the drug and call your veterinarian. Dogs should be evaluated for pre-existing conditions and currently prescribed medications prior to treatment with METACAM, then monitored regularly while on therapy. Concurrent use with another NSAID, corticosteroid, or nephrotoxic medication should be avoided or monitored closely. Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of reach of children. Consult a physician in case of accidental ingestion by humans. Dogs with known hypersensitivity to meloxicam should not receive Metacam Oral Suspension. Please refer to the full prescribing information.
How long should my dog take Metacam?
Your veterinarian will recommend a treatment plan and may suggest that your dog try Metacam for a specific period of time. Your veterinarian may ask you to report back or return with your dog for a follow-up evaluation to determine if treatment should continue. Just like people who have osteoarthritis, your dog will likely have to live with this condition for the rest of his life. You can feel comfortable giving Metacam knowing that it has been safely used to treat dogs with osteoarthritis around the world for over 20 years.
How does Metacam work?
Metacam targets and relieves both the pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis. Relief from arthritis pain can help restore mobility, allowing your dog to return to many of the activities that you both previously enjoyed. Best of all, it can be given once daily, which provides a full 24 hours of relief.
Why can't I just give my dog aspirin?
Aspirin is a drug that is not approved for use in animals. Aspirin should not be given during Metacam therapy. Also, Metacam should not be given with other anti-inflammatory drugs such as cortisone, Rimadyl (carprofen), ibuprofen, Previcox (firocoxib), or Deramaxx (deracoxib). Be sure to tell your veterinarian about any other medications your dog is taking before beginning treatment with Metacam.
What more can I do to help manage my dog’s pain?
Metacam therapy is one of a number of things that may help relieve your dog’s osteoarthritis pain. Your veterinarian may suggest a weight loss program or exercise regimen. Talk to your veterinarian before starting your dog on any weight loss or exercise plan. You can also help to make your dog as comfortable as possible by providing a soft place to sleep and keeping him or her warm. Performing massage and physical therapy on your dog as directed by your veterinarian can relieve joint stiffness and increase range of motion. In addition, raising food and water bowls to avoid neck strain, installing ramps to avoid your dog having to use stairs, putting non-skid runners on slippery surfaces, and other such supportive measures can help make daily activities less painful.
Why does Metacam come in an oral liquid form rather than a pill or tablet?
Just as many children's medicines come in liquid rather than pill form, liquid Metacam is designed to make it easier to administer the right dose to dogs. Metacam Oral Suspension is made in a smooth liquid form so that dog owners can dispense it easily from the syringe. Because it's liquid, it is easy to adjust the dose in small increments using the measuring syringe, with a precision unavailable from a rigid tablet. It is easily applied to the dog's food or given directly into the dog's mouth. Moreover, liquid Metacam is readily absorbed by dogs. And, dogs love the sweet honey-flavored taste. Metacam, the first NSAID available as an oral suspension, offers a highly convenient treatment option to dog owners and allows for accurate dosing for any size dog—something that chewable tablets cannot always achieve.
Can Metacam be used in very small dogs?
Even small-breed dogs get osteoarthritis. That's why a special low-concentration Metacam Oral Suspension for small dogs was developed.
Recommended Dosage
Your veterinarian with carefully consider the potential benefits and risk of METACAM (meloxicam oral suspension) and other treatment options before deciding to use METACAM. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual response. METACAM should be administered initially at 0.09 mg/lb (0.2 mg/kg) body weight only on the first day of treatment. For all treatments after day 1, METACAM should be administered once daily at a dose of 0.045 mg/lb (0.1 mg/kg). The syringe is calibrated to deliver the daily maintenance dose in pounds. Please note: Using the weight of your dog, and noting the dose concentration of the METACAM, use the Client Information Sheet to determine how to draw up the dose (syringe or dropper) and administer the dose (directly into the mouth or mixed in with the food).
Storage Instructions
Store at controlled room temperature, 68-77 F (20-25 C). Excursions permitted between 59 and 86 F (15 and 30 C). Brief exposure to temperatures up to 104 F (40 C) may be tolerated provided the mean kinetic temperature does not exceed 77 F (25 C); however, such exposure should be minimized.