[livingdustmops]

I have never used a pain med with any of my gang. They seemed to do fine without it.

Meloxicam (Metacam)


(for veterinary information only)

Brand Name: Metacam (veterinary product), Mobic (human product)

Available in 7.5 & 15 mg tablets (Mobic) and oral suspension (Metacam)

Background

Meloxicam is a member of the class of drugs known as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), the same class as such common over-the-counter pain remedies as Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), Orudis (ketoprofen), and aspirin. Most NSAIDs cannot be used in pets due to unacceptable side effects including:

Stomach ulceration - even perforation and rupture of the stomach can occur. This is not only painful but life-threatening.
Platelet deactivation - platelets are the cells controlling the ability to clot blood and, as a general rule, it is preferable not to promote bleeding. We would prefer platelets to remain active and able to function should we need them.
Decreased blood supply to the kidney - this could tip a borderline patient into kidney failure.
The veterinary profession has been in need of an NSAID that could effectively relieve pain without the above risks. The key appears to lie with the enzyme responsible for many inflammatory mediators, cyclo-oxygenase-2 (or COX–2). A different but related enzyme, cyclo-oxygenase-1 (COX-1), is responsible for producing important biochemicals needed to maintain normal blood supply to the kidneys and GI tract. It had been previously impossible to inhibit cyclo-oxygenase-2 without also inhibiting cyclo-oxygenase-1, hence the side effects of previous NSAIDS.

In 1997, Pfizer Animal Health released carprofenfor dogs in the U.S. as the answer to this need. Carprofen is what is called a selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor. Carprofen does inhibit cyclo-oxygenase-1 slightly but, for the first time, it became possible to exert a different effect on each of these two enzymes. Meloxicam is a similar type of NSAID, selectively inhibiting COX-2 over COX-1. Meloxicam has only been approved in the U.S. for canine use since 2003 but has been available in Canada and Europe for years before. Meloxicam has been available in the U.S. for human use for many years.

How this Medication is Used

Meloxicam is generally given to control arthritis pain in dogs though it can be given for many other painful conditions. It is often used an analgesic in conjunction with surgery.