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INDICATIONS
METACAM® (meloxicam oral suspension) and METACAM® (meloxicam) Solution for injection are indicated for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs.
CLINICAL BENEFITS
- Trusted and efficacious, METACAM Oral Suspension has been used to manage the pain and inflammation associated with canine osteoarthritis for nearly 20 years with millions of doses sold1
- Outstanding palatability—accepted by 90% of dogs when administered by owners2
- Calibrated syringes and 2 dosing concentrations facilitate precision dosing
- Promotes easy titration to implement a lowest effective dose (LED) strategy
DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION
Always provide Client Information Sheet with prescription. Carefully consider the potential benefits and risk of METACAM® (meloxicam oral suspension), METACAM® (meloxicam) Solution for Injection, and other treatment options before deciding to use METACAM Brand Products. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual response.
METACAM Oral Suspension
Calibrated measuring syringes and 2 dosing concentrations facilitate precision dosing for even the smallest dogs. The syringe fits on to the bottle and has a scale in pounds designed to deliver the daily maintenance dose.
On the first day of treatment, METACAM Oral Suspension should be administered at 0.09 mg/lb body weight. For all treatments after the first day, METACAM Oral Suspension should be administered once daily at a dose of 0.045 mg/lb.
METACAM Solution for Injection
METACAM Solution for Injection should be administered initially as a single dose at 0.09 mg/lb (0.2 mg/kg) body weight intravenously (IV) or subcutaneously (SQ), followed, after 24 hours, by meloxicam oral suspension at the daily dose of 0.045 mg/lb (0.1 mg/kg) body weight.
RESOURCES
Downloadable Documents
• METACAM (meloxicam) Oral Suspension Progress Pet Tracker
Quick Links
SAFETY
METACAM® (meloxicam oral suspension)
Contraindications: 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.
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.
Dogs should be evaluated for pre-existing conditions and currently prescribed medications prior to treatment with METACAM Oral Suspension, then monitored regularly while on therapy.
Precautions: The safe use of METACAM Oral Suspension in dogs younger than 6 months of age, dogs used for breeding, or in pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. Meloxicam is not recommended for use in dogs with bleeding disorders, as safety has not been established in dogs with these disorders.
As a class, cyclooxygenase inhibitory NSAIDs like METACAM Oral Suspension may be associated with gastrointestinal, kidney, or liver side effects. Concurrent use with another NSAID, corticosteroid, or nephrotoxic medication should be avoided or monitored closely.
For more information, please see full prescribing information.
METACAM® (meloxicam) Solution for Injection
Warning: Repeated use of meloxicam in cats has been associated with acute renal failure and death. Do not administer additional injectable or oral meloxicam to cats.
METACAM Solution for Injection is approved for use in dogs or cats (not indicated for osteoarthritis in cats).
Contraindications: Dogs with known hypersensitivity to meloxicam should not receive METACAM Solution for Injection.
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 intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SQ) injectable use in dogs. All dogs should undergo a thorough history and physical examination before administering any NSAID.
Dogs should be evaluated for pre-existing conditions and currently prescribed medications prior to treatment with METACAM Solution for Injection, then monitored regularly while on therapy.
Precautions: The safe use of METACAM Solution for Injection in dogs younger than 6 months of age, dogs used for breeding, or in pregnant or lactating bitches has not been evaluated.
Meloxicam is not recommended for use in dogs with bleeding disorders, as safety has not been established in dogs with these disorders. Safety has not been established for intramuscular (IM) administration in dogs.
As a class, cyclooxygenase inhibitory NSAIDs like METACAM Solution for Injection may be associated with gastrointestinal, kidney, or liver side effects. Concurrent use with another NSAID, corticosteroid, or nephrotoxic medication should be avoided or monitored closely.
For more information, please see full prescribing information.
When treating dogs with OA, the Painful-to-Playful Protocol helps increase compliance by showing rapid pain relief in-clinic so owners see the difference proper pain and inflammation management can make for their pet
As Easy as 1, 2, 3
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Step 1
Starting in your clinic, administer METACAM Solution for Injection to provide immediate pain relief the pet owner can see.
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Step 2
Send your patient home with the appropriate presentation and maintenance dose of METACAM Oral Suspension with simple, once-a-day dosing instructions
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Step 3
Set up regular follow-up appointments and encourage routine blood work monitoring to make sure the patient is receiving appropriate, regular treatment. It is also recommended to work with the pet owner to find the lowest effective dose to potentially help drive compliance.
Protocol Benefits:
For Pets
Following the protocol provides immediate pain relief as it goes to work to tackle the equally important inflammatory component of osteoarthritis. It also helps improve mobility and a pet’s willingness to exercise.
For Pet Owners
The protocol offers pet owners peace of mind that their pets are no longer in pain. It also provides convenient, affordable, long-term management of OA pain. Establishing a convenient once-a-day regimen keeps the pet owner involved in the pet’s care, strengthening the human-animal bond.
For Veterinarians
The protocol keeps you in control of patient care with your pharmacy supplying the medication. It also enhances compliance and encourages regular check-ins.
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) guidance5 recommends using the lowest effective dose whenever possible when prescribing a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to potentially reduce the risk of adverse events or an overdose. The liquid formulation of METACAM Oral Suspension allows you to titrate the medication to the lowest dose for each patient, no matter the size of the dog.
METACAM Oral Suspension is available in 2 concentrations: a low concentration for small dogs up to 20 lbs and a regular concentration for dogs 20 lbs and up, allowing for precise dosing based on the dog’s weight.
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The 2 concentrations of METACAM Oral Suspension help with accurate dosing while mitigating the risk of adverse effects from giving more than what is needed to provide pain relief.
Plus, METACAM Oral Suspension comes with weight-calibrated syringes specific to each of the 2 concentrations for a more precise dose.
Downloadable Documents
Quick Links
Pain Management Portfolio
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With a comprehensive portfolio of trusted and proven pain and inflammation management, Boehringer Ingelheim continues to build upon its long-standing history of leadership in the NSAID market.
References
- Data on file at Boehringer Ingelheim.
- METACAM (meloxicam) Oral Suspension (for Dogs) [prescribing information]. St. Joseph, MO: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc; 2019.
- Pollmeier M, Toulemonde C, Fleishman C, Hanson PD. Clinical evaluation of firocoxib and carprofen for the treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis. Vet Rec. 2006;159(17):547–551.
- Data on file at Boehringer Ingelheim
- Gruen ME, Lascelles BD, Colleran E, Johnson J, Marcellin-Little D. 2022 AAHA pain management guidelines for dogs and cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2022;58:55-76.
Trademarks
METACAM® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, used under license. PREVICOX® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owner. ©2026 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc., Duluth, GA. All rights reserved.
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