Meloxicam for Sugar Gliders
Pocket Pet · Petaurus breviceps · typical adult weight 0.08–0.16 kg
Meloxicam is dosed at 0.5 mg/kg PO once a day in sugar gliders, per Stans J. 2023. Oncology of the sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps): A comprehensive review. Veterinaria 72(2), 135-141. DOI 10.51607/22331360.2023.72.2.135 URL: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/fc94/0cbfb1f1c7923a9b46c0030b70349dfe92f4.pdf. Meloxicam is used in sugar gliders for Mammary carcinoma (analgesia), Dermal hemangiosarcoma (analgesia; initial, for infected wound), NSAID, Perioperative analgesia (NSAID). Routes documented in sugar gliders: PO, PO or SC, SC. A typical adult sugar glider weighs 0.08–0.16 kg. ExoticRx lists 4 cited dose rules for Meloxicam in sugar gliders, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Metacam
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.5 mg/kg | once a day | Mammary carcinoma (analgesia) | Anecdotal | Stans J. 2023. Oncology of the sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps): A comprehensive review. Veterinaria 72(2), 135-141. DOI 10.51607/22331360.2023.72.2.135 URL: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/fc94/0cbfb1f1c7923a9b46c0030b70349dfe92f4.pdf |
| PO | 0.2 mg/kg | every 24 hours | Dermal hemangiosarcoma (analgesia; initial, for infected wound) | Anecdotal | Stans J. 2023. Oncology of the sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps): A comprehensive review. Veterinaria 72(2), 135-141. DOI 10.51607/22331360.2023.72.2.135 URL: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/fc94/0cbfb1f1c7923a9b46c0030b70349dfe92f4.pdf |
| PO or SC | 0.1–0.2 mg/kg | q 24 h | NSAID | Weak | MSD/Merck Veterinary Manual. Drugs Commonly Used to Treat Sugar Gliders (dosage table). https://www.msdvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/drugs-commonly-used-to-treat-sugar-gliders URL: https://www.msdvetmanual.com/multimedia/table/drugs-commonly-used-to-treat-sugar-gliders |
| SC | 0.2 mg/kg | before the procedure | Perioperative analgesia (NSAID) | Anecdotal | D'Urso ES, Martorelli M, Bersanetti G, Selleri P, De Gennaro C. Combination of Dexmedetomidine and Low-Dose Ketamine in 4 Sugar Gliders (Petaurus breviceps) Undergoing Elective Castration. Vet Sci. 2025 Jul 25;12(8):699. doi:10.3390/vetsci12080699. PMID: 40872650. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12390597/ |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your sugar glider'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 sugar gliders 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 Sugar Gliders?
Meloxicam dose ranges in sugar gliders, with cited source references: PO 0.5 mg/kg once a day; PO 0.2 mg/kg every 24 hours; PO or SC 0.1–0.2 mg/kg q 24 h; SC 0.2 mg/kg before the procedure.
How is Meloxicam administered in Sugar Gliders?
Documented routes for Meloxicam in sugar gliders: PO, PO or SC, SC.
What conditions does Meloxicam treat in Sugar Gliders?
Meloxicam is indicated in sugar gliders for: Mammary carcinoma (analgesia), Dermal hemangiosarcoma (analgesia; initial, for infected wound), NSAID, Perioperative analgesia (NSAID).
What are the side effects of Meloxicam in Sugar Gliders?
These are general warnings for Meloxicam across species; consult the sugar glider 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 sugar glider 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 sugar gliders — 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.