Pocket Pet · Rattus norvegicus var. domestica · typical adult weight 0.25–0.70 kg
Meloxicam is dosed at 1–2 mg/kg PO q24h in pet rats, per Allweiler SI. How to improve anesthesia and analgesia in small mammals. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2016;19:361-377. doi:10.1016/j.cvex.2016.01.012 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.792 (2026-08-01).. Meloxicam is used in pet rats for NSAID / pain (post-op, mammary tumour), NSAID / pain. Routes documented in pet rats: PO, SC. A typical adult pet rat weighs 0.25–0.70 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Meloxicam in pet rats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Metacam
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 1–2 mg/kg | q24h | NSAID / pain (post-op, mammary tumour) | Strong | Allweiler SI. How to improve anesthesia and analgesia in small mammals. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2016;19:361-377. doi:10.1016/j.cvex.2016.01.012 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.792 (2026-08-01). |
| SC | 1–2 mg/kg | q24h | NSAID / pain | Strong | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed., Part B - Exotic Pets, Meloxicam monograph, p.195: 'Rats: 1-2 mg/kg s.c., p.o. q24h'. Corroborated by Quesenberry FRR 4th ed., Appendix Table A.4, p.627, Rats/Mice column: '1-2 mg/kg PO, SC q24h (R)' |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your pet rat'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. Jurisdiction-specific labeling: the US (FDA) label authorizes a single SC dose only, with a boxed warning against repeated use; EU/UK/AU labels authorize repeated oral dosing for chronic musculoskeletal pain — follow your jurisdiction's label. 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 pet rats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Meloxicam dose ranges in pet rats, with cited source references: PO 1–2 mg/kg q24h; SC 1–2 mg/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Meloxicam in pet rats: PO, SC.
Meloxicam is indicated in pet rats for: NSAID / pain (post-op, mammary tumour), NSAID / pain.
These are general warnings for Meloxicam across species; consult the pet rat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Use with extreme caution in cats. Jurisdiction-specific labeling: the US (FDA) label authorizes a single SC dose only, with a boxed warning against repeated use; EU/UK/AU labels authorize repeated oral dosing for chronic musculoskeletal pain — follow your jurisdiction's label. GI ulceration risk. Avoid in dehydrated, hypovolemic, or renally compromised patients. Do not combine with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids.
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 pet rats — 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.