Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Meloxicam is used in dog for Peri-operative analgesia, Pain, osteoarthritis, post-operative analgesia, Post-dental analgesia, Chronic osteoarthritis (long-term). Routes documented in dog: IV, PO, SC. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 6 cited dose rules for Meloxicam in dog, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Metacam
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 0.2 mg/kg | once | Single peri-operative dose | Peri-operative analgesia | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 0.1–0.2 mg/kg | q24h | Acute: 3-5 days; Chronic: ongoing with monitoring | Pain, osteoarthritis, post-operative analgesia | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 0.1 mg/kg | q24h | 3-5 days post-dental | Post-dental analgesia | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 0.1 mg/kg | q24h | Chronic with monitoring every 3-6 months | Chronic osteoarthritis (long-term) | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 0.1–0.2 mg/kg | q24h | 3-5 days | Soft tissue surgery analgesia | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| SC | 0.2 mg/kg | once | Single peri-operative dose | Post-operative analgesia | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your dog'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 dog 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 dog — 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.