DESCRIPTION:
Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory(NSAID) prescribed by veterinarians to treat osteoarthritis and post operative pain in dogs and cats, although it is predominantly used to treat canines. This medication is also effective in reducing fever.
How Does Meloxicam Reduce Pain?
Prostaglandins are the chemicals responsible for causing inflammation and pain. Meloxicam effectively relieves pain and inflammation by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins in the body. It also inhibits and phospholipase A-2which are responsible for inflammation and pain.
Precautions:
Meloxicam is an effective pain reliever when and requires a veterinary prescription. However, this medication should not be administered to a patient with a known allergy to it. It should also be avoided in animals suffering from dehydration, low blood pressure, a perforation of the stomach or intestinal lining or in animals with a history of bleeding disorders or ulcers. While meloxicam is approved for use in dogs, puppies under the age of six months have not been evaluated.
SIDE EFFECTS:
Meloxicam is generally well tolerated in dogs butt he most common side effect is GI distress. Examples include vomiting, soft stools, diarrhea, and inappetence. While rare, other animals may experience more severe side effects like intestinal bleeding, black and tarry stools, intestinal perforation or stomach orintestinal ulcers, or renal toxicity.