# Meloxicam: veterinary dose and monograph

> Meloxicam is a veterinary anti-inflammatory drug. COX-2 preferential NSAID. Indications include canine osteoarthritis; postoperative pain and inflammation; bovine acute mastitis (adjunct). This monograph lists 18 reference doses for dogs, cats, cattle, horses, goats and sheep and 10 more species, each with route, frequency and source, plus meat and milk withdrawal periods for food animals.

Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/meloxicam · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Anti-inflammatory
- **Also known as:** Metacam, Mobic
- **Species with doses:** Dogs, Cats, Cattle, Horses, Goats, Sheep, Pigs, Birds, Rabbits, Ferrets, Guinea pigs, Chinchillas, Rats, Hedgehogs, Sugar gliders and Primates
- **General dose range:** 0.1–0.2 mg/kg PO q24h — check the species tables for the indication
- **Routes:** PO, SC, IV, IM
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Canine osteoarthritis
- Postoperative pain and inflammation
- Bovine acute mastitis (adjunct)
- Bovine respiratory disease pyrexia (adjunct)
- Calf castration / dehorning analgesia
- Equine musculoskeletal pain and colic
- Swine MMA (mastitis-metritis-agalactia) syndrome (adjunct)

## Meloxicam dose by species

Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.

### Dogs

*Meloxicam doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Osteoarthritis / chronic inflammation | 0.2 mg/kg | PO | q24h | day 1 loading |
| Maintenance | 0.1 mg/kg | PO | q24h | — |

- Osteoarthritis / chronic inflammation: Papich 5e and Plumb’s p.780 (Metacam label): 0.2 mg/kg PO, SC or IV on day 1, then 0.1 mg/kg PO once daily with food (see the maintenance row).
- Maintenance: Papich 5e and Plumb’s p.780 (label): 0.1 mg/kg PO, SC or IV once daily after the 0.2 mg/kg loading dose; oral transmucosal spray 0.1 mg/kg daily. Use the lowest effective dose; monitor renal and GI tolerance.

### Cats

*Meloxicam doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-dose perioperative analgesia (USA label) | 0.3 mg/kg | SC | once | — |
| Chronic musculoskeletal pain (oral, where licensed) | 0.05 mg/kg | PO | q24h | — |

- Single-dose perioperative analgesia (USA label): Plumb’s p.780 (Metacam Injection for Cats, US label): 0.3 mg/kg SC once — do not follow with further meloxicam or other NSAIDs (US boxed warning: repeated use associated with acute renal failure and death). Papich 5e: single doses of 0.15–0.3 mg/kg SC for short-term use.
- Chronic musculoskeletal pain (oral, where licensed): Plumb’s p.780 (Metacam Oral Suspension for Cats, UK label): 0.1 mg/kg PO on day 1, then 0.05 mg/kg PO q24h; stop after 14 days if no improvement. Papich 5e: 0.05 mg/kg q24h PO, reducing for long-term use to 0.03 mg/kg q24h or 0.05 mg/kg q48–72h. USA label WARNING: repeated meloxicam in cats has caused acute renal failure — ensure hydration and monitor renal values.

### Cattle

*Meloxicam doses for cattle*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Acute mastitis / BRD pyrexia / calf diarrhoea (adjunct) | 0.5 mg/kg | SC | once | — | 15d slaughter / 120h milk |

- Acute mastitis / BRD pyrexia / calf diarrhoea (adjunct): Plumb’s p.780 (Metacam UK label): single 0.5 mg/kg SC or IV with antibiotic or oral-rehydration therapy; UK withdrawal meat 15 days, milk 120 h. Papich 5e: cattle 0.5 mg/kg q24h IV, IM or SC. Follow the local label.

### Horses

*Meloxicam doses for horses*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Musculoskeletal pain / colic | 0.6 mg/kg | IV | q24h | up to 14 days |

- Musculoskeletal pain / colic: Papich 5e: 0.6 mg/kg q24h IV or PO (foals <7 weeks may need q12h). Plumb’s p.780 (UK label): 0.6 mg/kg IV once, then 0.6 mg/kg PO once daily for up to 14 days; meat withdrawal 5 days.

### Goats

*Meloxicam doses for goats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pain / inflammation (extra-label) | 1 mg/kg | SC | once | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

- Pain / inflammation (extra-label): Papich 5e: sheep and small ruminants 1 mg/kg as a single dose IV, IM, SC or PO. Extra-label in goats — use an extended withdrawal (FARAD).

### Sheep

*Meloxicam doses for sheep*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pain / inflammation (extra-label) | 1 mg/kg | SC | once | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label |

- Pain / inflammation (extra-label): Papich 5e: sheep and small ruminants 1 mg/kg as a single dose IV, IM, SC or PO. Extra-label — use an extended withdrawal (FARAD).

### Pigs

*Meloxicam doses for pigs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Lameness / MMA adjunct | 0.4 mg/kg | IM | once | — | 5d slaughter |

- Lameness / MMA adjunct: Papich 5e and Plumb’s p.780 (UK label): 0.4 mg/kg IM once, repeatable after 24 h; meat withdrawal 5 days.

### Buffalo

No buffalo-specific doses are on file, so buffalo are dosed as cattle.

*Meloxicam doses for buffalo*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Acute mastitis / BRD pyrexia / calf diarrhoea (adjunct) | 0.5 mg/kg | SC | once | — | 15d slaughter / 120h milk |

- Acute mastitis / BRD pyrexia / calf diarrhoea (adjunct): Plumb’s p.780 (Metacam UK label): single 0.5 mg/kg SC or IV with antibiotic or oral-rehydration therapy; UK withdrawal meat 15 days, milk 120 h. Papich 5e: cattle 0.5 mg/kg q24h IV, IM or SC. Follow the local label.

### Birds

*Meloxicam doses for birds*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bird analgesia | 0.5 mg/kg | IM | q12–24h | — |

- Bird analgesia: Plumb's p.781: analgesic 0.5 mg/kg IM (may be the safest NSAID in birds); proventricular dilatation disease adjunct 0.1–0.5 mg/kg PO q12h (Oglesbee 2009).

### Rabbits

*Meloxicam doses for rabbits*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rabbit pain / inflammation | 0.2–0.3 mg/kg | PO | q24h | — |

- Rabbit pain / inflammation: Plumb's p.781 (Carpenter et al. 2009): 0.2–0.3 mg/kg PO q24h; 0.2 mg/kg q24h was well tolerated by rabbits for 10 days. Often paired with buprenorphine for post-op pain.

### Ferrets

*Meloxicam doses for ferrets*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Post-surgical pain | 0.2 mg/kg | PO | once | — |

- Post-surgical pain: Plumb's p.781 (Schoemaker 2008): 0.2 mg/kg PO or SC once for post-surgical pain.

### Guinea pigs

*Meloxicam doses for guinea pigs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pain / inflammation | 0.2 mg/kg | PO | q24h | — |

- Pain / inflammation: Plumb's p.781: 0.2 mg/kg PO or SC once daily; duration of action 24–48 h in most small-mammal species.

### Chinchillas

*Meloxicam doses for chinchillas*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pain / inflammation | 0.2 mg/kg | PO | q24h | — |

- Pain / inflammation: Plumb's p.781: 0.2 mg/kg PO or SC q24h (most small-mammal species).

### Rats

*Meloxicam doses for rats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pain / inflammation | 0.2 mg/kg | PO | q24h | — |

- Pain / inflammation: Plumb's p.781: 0.2 mg/kg PO or SC q24h (most small-mammal species).

### Hedgehogs

*Meloxicam doses for hedgehogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pain / inflammation | 0.2 mg/kg | SC | q24h | — |

- Pain / inflammation: Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8-6 (p.518): hedgehogs 0.2 mg/kg PO/SC q24h (or q12h — based on limited sample size / PK data).

### Sugar gliders

*Meloxicam doses for sugar gliders*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pain / inflammation | 0.1–0.2 mg/kg | PO | q24h | — |

- Pain / inflammation: Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 7-4 (p.500): sugar gliders 0.1–0.2 mg/kg PO/SC q24h; 0.2 mg/kg PO/SC q12h.

### Primates

*Meloxicam doses for primates*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pain / inflammation (marmosets, macaques) | 0.1–0.2 mg/kg | SC | q24h | — |

- Pain / inflammation (marmosets, macaques): Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 13-5 (p.702): marmosets/rhesus macaques 0.1–0.2 mg/kg SC q24h up to 3 days; 0.2 mg/kg IM q24h (cynomolgus macaques); use lower dose in marmosets.

## Contraindications

Hypersensitivity. Active GI ulceration / bleeding. Cats: REPEATED dosing (USA label) — acute renal failure and death reported. Dogs <6 weeks. Dehydration, hypovolaemia, hypotension. Avoid combining with other NSAIDs / corticosteroids; 5–7 day washout after stopping meloxicam before starting another NSAID.

## Species-specific warnings

> **Caution:** Cats: Single peri-operative SC dose only — REPEAT dosing causes fatal acute kidney injury. Black box warning added by FDA after multiple deaths. Use buprenorphine or robenacoxib for cats instead.

> **Caution:** Dogs: Safe at label dose in healthy adult dogs. Avoid in dehydrated / hypotensive patients, CKD, GI ulceration history, concurrent steroid use, and other NSAID washout periods.

> **Caution:** Cattle: Approved for BRD adjunct at 0.5 mg/kg SC single dose. Withdrawal: 15 d slaughter / 5 d milk. Do NOT use in calves <8 weeks.

> **Caution:** Horses: Approved for musculoskeletal pain at 0.6 mg/kg PO/IV q24h. Avoid in foals <6 weeks. Causes mucosal ulceration on chronic use — limit to 14 days.

> **Caution:** Goats: Extra-label, similar dose to cattle. Limited withdrawal data — extend cattle withdrawal × 1.5 as conservative estimate.

> **Caution:** Birds: NSAID nephrotoxicity is the leading cause of death in raptor rehab. Use only at low end of range (0.1–0.2 mg/kg PO q24h × ≤3 days) with hydration support.

## Adverse effects

- GI: vomiting, soft stools, diarrhoea, melena, ulceration
- Elevated liver enzymes
- Renal injury, azotaemia, renal failure (especially cats)
- Behaviour change, lethargy (cats)
- Anaemia (cats)

## Drug interactions

- Other NSAIDs (carprofen, flunixin, aspirin): additive GI ulceration and renal toxicity — DO NOT stack. Washout 5–7 days between switches.
- Corticosteroids (dexamethasone, prednisolone): synergistic GI ulceration — avoid concurrent use
- ACE inhibitors (enalapril, benazepril): may blunt anti-hypertensive effect; additive renal risk in CKD
- Furosemide / other diuretics: additive renal hypoperfusion risk — avoid in dehydrated patients
- Aminoglycosides (gentamicin) / cyclosporine: additive nephrotoxicity
- Anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin): increased bleeding risk via platelet inhibition
- Methotrexate: decreased renal clearance — toxicity risk

## Pregnancy and lactation

AVOID in late pregnancy — NSAIDs cross placenta, can cause premature closure of fetal ductus arteriosus and oligohydramnios. May delay parturition by suppressing prostaglandin-mediated cervical ripening. Excreted in milk in low concentrations. Use only when benefit outweighs risk. FDA Category C (early) / D (late) human.

## Monitoring

- Baseline CBC, biochemistry (BUN, creatinine, ALT, ALP, total protein), urinalysis
- Repeat biochem + urine at 2–4 weeks then every 3–6 months on chronic dosing
- Adequate hydration status before every dose — avoid in dehydrated patients
- Watch for GI signs (vomiting, anorexia, melaena) — discontinue at first sign
- Concurrent medication review at every visit — avoid stacking with steroid / other NSAID / nephrotoxin
- Cats: never repeat dose — single use only and only if no alternative exists

## Toxicity and overdose

Cats: chronic dosing causes acute kidney injury — single dose 0.3 mg/kg SC was a labelled use but boxed warning was added after fatal AKI reports. NEVER give repeated doses to cats. Dogs: GI ulceration / perforation (vomiting, melaena, anorexia), acute kidney injury (especially in hypovolaemic / hypotensive states or with concurrent ACE-I / diuretic), hepatopathy. Overdose >5 mg/kg: severe GI ulceration, renal failure within 24–48 h.

Management: Immediate decontamination if <2 h post-ingestion: induce emesis (apomorphine 0.03 mg/kg IV) or gastric lavage, activated charcoal (1–2 g/kg PO). Aggressive IV fluid diuresis (1.5–2× maintenance) for 48–72 h to protect kidneys. Misoprostol (PGE1 analogue) 2–5 µg/kg PO q8h for GI protection. Sucralfate 0.5–1 g PO q6–8h, omeprazole 1 mg/kg PO q12h. Monitor renal function (BUN, creatinine, urinalysis) and CBC daily for 5 days. Cats: rapid hemodialysis may be needed.

## Clinical pearls

- Dog OA management: 0.2 mg/kg loading dose day 1, then 0.1 mg/kg q24h with food — taking with food reduces GI irritation
- Cattle BRD adjunct: 0.5 mg/kg IV/SC single dose reduces fever and improves feed intake — combine with antimicrobial
- Cats: single 0.3 mg/kg SC peri-operative use is labelled in some countries, but NEVER repeat — fatal AKI reported
- Acute post-op pain: NSAID + opioid (tramadol / methadone) gives superior multimodal analgesia
- Discontinue at least 5 days before any planned surgery to allow COX recovery and reduce intra-op bleeding
- Always check renal function before starting in older dogs — undiagnosed CKD predisposes to acute decompensation

## Mechanism of action

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory of the enolic acid (oxicam) class. Preferential COX-2 inhibitor (10–20× selective for COX-2 over COX-1 in dogs) — reduces prostaglandin-mediated inflammation, pain, and pyrexia while sparing the gastric and renal COX-1 housekeeping prostaglandins. Half-life ~12–24 h in dogs allows convenient once-daily dosing.

## Formulations and products

- Metacam oral suspension 1.5 mg/mL
- Metacam injection 5 mg/mL
- Mobic tablet 7.5 mg
- Mobic tablet 15 mg
- Melonex 5 mg/mL injection (Intas, 15/30/100 mL)
- Melonex Power 20 mg/mL + Lignocaine 1 % (Intas, large animal)
- Melonex Plus 5 mg + Paracetamol 150 mg/mL + Lignocaine (Intas)
- Melonex bolus 100 mg (Intas)
- Melonex Plus bolus 100 mg + Paracetamol 1.5 g (Intas)
- Melonex Z plus 100 mg + Paracetamol 2 g + Serratiopeptidase 75 mg bolus (Intas)
- Inflavet tablet 2.5 mg (Virbac, canine)
- Melonex Inj. (Intas (Neovet)) — 5 mg/mL, Injection
- Melonex Power (Intas (Neovet)) — Meloxicam 20 mg + Lignocaine 1 % / mL, Large-animal injection
- Melonex Plus Inj. (Intas (Neovet)) — Meloxicam 5 + Paracetamol 150 + Lignocaine 1 % / mL, Antipyretic + analgesic injection
- Melonex Bolus (Intas (Neovet)) — 100 mg, Oral bolus
- Melonex Plus Bolus (Intas (Neovet)) — Meloxicam 100 mg + Paracetamol 1500 mg, Antipyretic bolus
- Melonex Z Plus (Intas (Neovet)) — Meloxicam 100 + Paracetamol 2000 + Serratiopeptidase 75 mg, Bolus
- Inflavet Tablets (Virbac) — 2.5 mg, Palatable canine tablet
- Serakind-Plus (Mankind Veticura) — Meloxicam 100 mg + Paracetamol 2000 mg + Serratiopeptidase 75 mg (~150 000 EU), Combination bolus (NSAID + enzyme)
- Mloxvet (Assure Biotech, Jagadhri (HR)) — 5 mg/mL, Injection
- Mloxvet-P (Assure Biotech, Jagadhri (HR)) — Meloxicam 5 mg + Paracetamol 150 mg per mL, Fixed combination injection
- Mobic — 7.5 / 15 mg, Tablet (human-label)
- Melocam — 7.5 / 15 mg, Tablet (human-label)

## Storage

Tablets and oral suspension: 15–30 °C, dry, protected from light. Do NOT refrigerate (precipitation in suspension). Discard suspension 6 months after first opening. Injection: 15–30 °C, protect from light.

## Before you use this dose

> **Caution:** Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.

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## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Meloxicam for dogs?

Reference doses for Meloxicam in dogs: 0.2 mg/kg PO q24h for day 1 loading (Osteoarthritis / chronic inflammation); 0.1 mg/kg PO q24h (Maintenance). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Meloxicam for cats?

Reference doses for Meloxicam in cats: 0.3 mg/kg SC once (Single-dose perioperative analgesia (USA label)); 0.05 mg/kg PO q24h (Chronic musculoskeletal pain (oral, where licensed)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Meloxicam for cattle?

Reference doses for Meloxicam in cattle: 0.5 mg/kg SC once (Acute mastitis / BRD pyrexia / calf diarrhoea (adjunct)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the withdrawal period for Meloxicam?

Cattle, SC (Acute mastitis / BRD pyrexia / calf diarrhoea (adjunct)): 15d slaughter / 120h milk; Goats, SC (Pain / inflammation (extra-label)): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Sheep, SC (Pain / inflammation (extra-label)): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Pigs, IM (Lameness / MMA adjunct): 5d slaughter. Follow the product label and national regulations where they differ.

### When should Meloxicam not be used?

Hypersensitivity. Active GI ulceration / bleeding. Cats: REPEATED dosing (USA label) — acute renal failure and death reported. Dogs <6 weeks. Dehydration, hypovolaemia, hypotension. Avoid combining with other NSAIDs / corticosteroids; 5–7 day washout after stopping meloxicam before starting another NSAID.

### What are the side effects of Meloxicam in animals?

GI: vomiting, soft stools, diarrhoea, melena, ulceration; Elevated liver enzymes; Renal injury, azotaemia, renal failure (especially cats); Behaviour change, lethargy (cats); Anaemia (cats).

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition
- Carpenter, Exotic Animal Formulary

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VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.