Meloxicam for Leopard Geckos
Reptile · Eublepharis macularius · typical adult weight 0.04–0.10 kg
Meloxicam is dosed at 0.3 mg/kg SC once daily for three consecutive days (post-operat in leopard geckos, per Mason AK, Lee J, Perry SM, Boykin KL, Del Piero F, Lierz M, Mitchell MA. Animals (Basel). 2021 Aug 24;11(9):2477. doi:10.3390/ani11092477. PMCID: PMC8470321. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8470321/. Meloxicam is used in leopard geckos for Post-operative analgesia, Additional sedation and analgesia just prior to right unilateral orchidectomy and epididymectomy, Post-operative analgesia after orchidectomy and epididymectomy. Routes documented in leopard geckos: SC. A typical adult leopard gecko weighs 0.04–0.10 kg. ExoticRx lists 3 cited dose rules for Meloxicam in leopard geckos, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Metacam
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 0.3 mg/kg | once daily for three consecutive days (post-operat | Post-operative analgesia | Weak | Mason AK, Lee J, Perry SM, Boykin KL, Del Piero F, Lierz M, Mitchell MA. Animals (Basel). 2021 Aug 24;11(9):2477. doi:10.3390/ani11092477. PMCID: PMC8470321. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8470321/ |
| SC | 0.3 mg/kg | single dose just prior to surgery | Additional sedation and analgesia just prior to right unilateral orchidectomy and epididymectomy | Weak | Mason AK, Lee J, Perry SM, Boykin KL, Del Piero F, Lierz M, Mitchell MA. Determining the Effects of Serial Injections of Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin on Plasma Testosterone Concentrations, Testicular Dynamics, and Semen Production in Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis macularius). Animals (Basel). 2021;11(9):2477. doi:10.3390/ani11092477. PMCID: PMC8470321. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8470321/ |
| SC | 0.3 mg/kg | once daily for three consecutive days (post-operat | Post-operative analgesia after orchidectomy and epididymectomy | Weak | Mason AK, Lee J, Perry SM, Boykin KL, Del Piero F, Lierz M, Mitchell MA. Determining the Effects of Serial Injections of Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin on Plasma Testosterone Concentrations, Testicular Dynamics, and Semen Production in Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis macularius). Animals (Basel). 2021;11(9):2477. doi:10.3390/ani11092477. PMCID: PMC8470321. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8470321/ |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your leopard gecko's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Mechanism of action
Preferential COX-2 inhibitor, reducing prostaglandin synthesis. Provides anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects.
Side effects & warnings
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 leopard geckos may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Frequently asked questions
What is the dose of Meloxicam for Leopard Geckos?
Meloxicam dose ranges in leopard geckos, with cited source references: SC 0.3 mg/kg once daily for three consecutive days (post-operat; SC 0.3 mg/kg single dose just prior to surgery; SC 0.3 mg/kg once daily for three consecutive days (post-operat.
How is Meloxicam administered in Leopard Geckos?
Documented routes for Meloxicam in leopard geckos: SC.
What conditions does Meloxicam treat in Leopard Geckos?
Meloxicam is indicated in leopard geckos for: Post-operative analgesia, Additional sedation and analgesia just prior to right unilateral orchidectomy and epididymectomy, Post-operative analgesia after orchidectomy and epididymectomy.
What are the side effects of Meloxicam in Leopard Geckos?
These are general warnings for Meloxicam across species; consult the leopard gecko dosing table above for species-specific guidance. 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.
Other Analgesic drugs with leopard gecko dosing
Meloxicam dosing in other species
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 leopard geckos — 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.