Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Meloxicam is used in cat for Pain, musculoskeletal, post-operative, Feline osteoarthritis (chronic low-dose), Feline asthma adjunct (anti-inflammatory), Post-operative analgesia. Routes documented in cat: PO, SC. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 4 cited dose rules for Meloxicam in cat, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Metacam
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.01–0.05 mg/kg | q24h | Short-term preferred; chronic use controversial | Pain, musculoskeletal, post-operative | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 0.01–0.03 mg/kg | q24h | Chronic with regular monitoring | Feline osteoarthritis (chronic low-dose) | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 0.01–0.05 mg/kg | q24h | Short course only | Feline asthma adjunct (anti-inflammatory) | Weak | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| SC | 0.1–0.2 mg/kg | once | Single peri-operative dose only | Post-operative analgesia | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your cat's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Preferential COX-2 inhibitor, reducing prostaglandin synthesis. Provides anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects.
Use with extreme caution in cats (single SC dose labeled; repeated oral use controversial). GI ulceration risk. Avoid in dehydrated, hypovolemic, or renally compromised patients. Do not combine with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cat may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Why a species-specific page? Meloxicam pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cat — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.