Meloxicam for Zebra Finches
Bird · Taeniopygia guttata · typical adult weight 0.01–0.02 kg
Meloxicam is dosed at 1–2 mg/kg IM twice daily (12-h intervals) for 4 d in zebra finches, per Miller KA, Hill NJ, Carrasco SE, Patterson MM. Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Intramuscular Meloxicam in Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2019 Sep;58(5):589-593. doi:10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-19-000032. PMID 31462348; PMCID PMC6774456. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6774456/. Meloxicam is used in zebra finches for analgesia. Routes documented in zebra finches: IM. A typical adult zebra finch weighs 0.01–0.02 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Meloxicam in zebra finches, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Metacam
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 1–2 mg/kg | twice daily (12-h intervals) for 4 d | analgesia | Weak | Miller KA, Hill NJ, Carrasco SE, Patterson MM. Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Intramuscular Meloxicam in Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2019 Sep;58(5):589-593. doi:10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-19-000032. PMID 31462348; PMCID PMC6774456. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6774456/ |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your zebra finch'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 zebra finches 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 Zebra Finches?
Meloxicam dose range in zebra finches, with cited source references: IM 1–2 mg/kg twice daily (12-h intervals) for 4 d.
How is Meloxicam administered in Zebra Finches?
Documented routes for Meloxicam in zebra finches: IM.
What conditions does Meloxicam treat in Zebra Finches?
Meloxicam is indicated in zebra finches for: analgesia.
What are the side effects of Meloxicam in Zebra Finches?
These are general warnings for Meloxicam across species; consult the zebra finch 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 zebra finch 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 zebra finches — 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.