- Injectable Metacam can be used to treat post-operative pain.dog image by Michal Tudek from Fotolia.com
Metacam is widely used as a daily pain reliever for dogs who suffer from osteoarthritis because it is the only NSAID available in an oral liquid form, which can be easier to administer than a pill. The more concentrated injectable version is commonly used as a one-time dose to treat pain after surgical procedures. - Metacam can be used to provide long-term pain relief.dog image by Joanna Redesiuk from Fotolia.com
Metacam is effective for up to 24 hours, which means it only needs to be given once daily. The oral solution is available in both a 1.5 mg/mL and 0.5 mg/mL concentrations for more accurate dosing, so it is easier for veterinarians to prescribe the lowest possible effective dose, and the injectable version requires the smallest injection volume of any NSAID. The oral suspension tastes good to dogs, which makes it easier to administer than a bitter-tasting pill. During the drug's testing, the oral suspension was accepted by 100 percent of dogs, according to the package insert. Metacam was created for long-term pain relief, and according to the Metacam website, some dogs have been using it daily for eight years without any problem. - Like any drug of its type, Metacam can cause side effects.dog image by Trav from Fotolia.com
Like any NSAID, Metacam can cause stomach, kidney or liver problems in rare cases, although the most common side effect is soft stool. It can also react unfavorably with other drugs, including aspirin and corticosteroids, causing sudden, severe injury to the kidneys. Meloxicam can inhibit the blood platelets' ability to adhere, so clotting or bleeding problems may arise. Dogs using Metacam long-term should be monitored periodically to catch potential problems before they arise. - Metacam doses can be tailored to suit even the smallest dog.dog image by Roman Yakymchuk from Fotolia.com
Injectable Metacam is administered intravenously or subcutaneously at 0.09 mg per pound, with peak pain relief in 2.5 hours. The injectable form is meant to be a one-time dose that is followed with regular administration of the oral suspension for long-term pain relief. Because Metacam is a liquid, the dose can be individually tailored to the dog. The initial dose is generally 0.05 mg per pound, which can be increased or decreased as necessary depending upon the dog's response. - Other veterinary NSAIDs are only available in pill form, which makes dosing more difficult.pills image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com
There are a number of effective NSAIDs available, the most popular being Rimadyl and Deramaxx. These drugs are available only in pill form for oral administration, which means that individual dosing is much less flexible than with Metacam. Also, being NSAIDs, they have the potential to cause the same side effects as Metacam.
previous post