Piroxicam: veterinary dose and monograph

At a glance

Drug class

Anti-inflammatory

Also known as

Feldene, Pirox, Dolonex

Species with doses

Dogs, Cats and Rabbits

General dose range

0.3 mg/kg PO q24–48h — check the species tables for the indication

Routes

PO

Last reviewed

1 October 2026

Indications

• Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder/urethra — anti-tumour + palliative
• Squamous cell carcinoma and other carcinomas (adjunct)
• Anti-inflammatory analgesia (osteoarthritis, where other NSAIDs unsuitable)
• Palliative care in cancer patients

Piroxicam 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

• TCC / carcinoma / anti-inflammatory: Plumb’s p.985: transitional cell/squamous cell carcinoma and palliation 0.3 mg/kg PO once daily with food (Frimberger & London), ± misoprostol 3 µg/kg q8h; as an anti-inflammatory/analgesic 0.3 mg/kg every other day (Boothe; Hansen). Papich 5e: 0.3 mg/kg q48h; cancer 0.3 mg/kg q24h initially then q48h. Stop if GI ulceration; monitor renal values.

Cats

• Carcinoma (palliative, cautious): Papich 5e: 0.3 mg/kg q24h PO (commonly 1 mg per cat q24h). Plumb’s p.985: TCC 0.3 mg/kg q24–72h with gastroprotection (Smith 2003); cancer pain 0.3 mg/kg q24–48h or 1 mg per cat q24h for up to 7 days. Caution with renal disease; avoid other nephrotoxins.

Rabbits

• Fracture-associated limb swelling: Plumb’s p.985 (Ivey & Morrisey 2000): rabbits 0.1–0.2 mg/kg PO q8h for 3 weeks.

Contraindications

Pre-existing GI ulceration, renal or hepatic disease, dehydration, bleeding disorders, and concurrent corticosteroids or other NSAIDs. Cats — only with great caution and gastroprotection (high NSAID sensitivity). Known NSAID hypersensitivity. Avoid in patients already on another NSAID.

Species-specific warnings

Cats: High NSAID sensitivity — use only with extended dosing intervals, gastroprotection and close renal/GI monitoring.

Adverse effects

• GI ulceration / perforation, vomiting, melaena (notable risk)
• Renal injury (papillary necrosis), especially with dehydration
• Hepatotoxicity
• Inhibited platelet function (bleeding)

Drug interactions

• Other NSAIDs / corticosteroids: greatly increased GI ulceration/perforation risk — do not combine
• ACE inhibitors, diuretics, aminoglycosides: increased nephrotoxicity
• Anticoagulants: increased bleeding
• Highly protein-bound — displacement interactions

Pregnancy and lactation

Avoid in pregnancy (NSAID fetal/ductal effects). Not for breeding animals where avoidable.

Monitoring

• GI signs (vomiting, melaena, appetite) — co-prescribe gastroprotection
• Renal values (BUN/creatinine) and hydration
• Liver enzymes periodically
• Tumour response (e.g. bladder ultrasound for TCC)

Toxicity and overdose

Overdose/chronic toxicity: GI ulceration with haemorrhage/perforation, acute kidney injury, hepatotoxicity and impaired haemostasis. Cats are especially sensitive. The GI risk is the principal practical limitation of long-term use.

Management: No specific antidote. Decontaminate if recent ingestion; aggressive IV fluid diuresis (protect kidneys); GI protectants (omeprazole/PPI, sucralfate, misoprostol) and treat ulceration/haemorrhage; monitor renal, hepatic and clotting parameters. Transfuse if significant GI bleeding.

Clinical pearls

• The classic anti-cancer NSAID — first-line palliation/therapy for canine bladder TCC (often with mitoxantrone/vinblastine)
• Always pair long-term piroxicam with gastroprotection (omeprazole ± misoprostol) and give with food
• Newer COX-2-selective NSAILs (e.g. firocoxib) are also used in oncology with potentially lower GI risk
• Keep patients well hydrated and never combine with corticosteroids or another NSAID
• Monitor renal and GI parameters on these long courses

Mechanism of action

Non-selective cyclo-oxygenase (COX-1/COX-2) inhibitor, reducing prostaglandin synthesis for anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Its anti-cancer activity is attributed largely to COX-2 inhibition in tumour tissue (COX-2 is over-expressed in canine TCC and several carcinomas), with downstream anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic effects; loss of cytoprotective COX-1 prostaglandins drives the GI/renal toxicity.

Formulations and products

• 10 mg capsule
• 20 mg capsule
• Compounded oral suspension (1–2 mg/mL)
• Dolonex — 20 mg capsule / dispersible tablet, Capsule / DT (human-label)
• Pirox / Feldene — 10 / 20 mg capsule, Capsule (human-label)

Storage

Capsules: 15–30 °C, dry, protect from light. Compounded suspension per pharmacy beyond-use date.

Before you use this dose

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.

Other anti-inflammatory drugs

• Meloxicam
• Methylprednisolone Acetate
• Nimesulide
• Phenylbutazone
• Prednisolone
• Robenacoxib
• Tolfenamic Acid

Frequently asked questions