# Piroxicam: veterinary dose and monograph

> Piroxicam is a veterinary anti-inflammatory drug. An older non-selective NSAID with a distinctive veterinary niche in ONCOLOGY: piroxicam has documented anti-tumour activity (via COX-2 inhibition and anti-angiogenic effects) and is a mainstay for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the… Indications include 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). This monograph lists 3 reference doses for dogs, cats and rabbits, each with route, frequency and source.

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

## 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

*Piroxicam doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| TCC / carcinoma / anti-inflammatory | 0.3 mg/kg | PO | q24h | — |

- 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

*Piroxicam doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Carcinoma (palliative, cautious) | 0.3 mg/kg | PO | q24–72h | — |

- 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

*Piroxicam doses for rabbits*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Fracture-associated limb swelling | 0.1–0.2 mg/kg | PO | q8h | 3 weeks |

- 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

> **Caution:** 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

> **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.

## Other anti-inflammatory drugs

- [Meloxicam](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/meloxicam)
- [Methylprednisolone Acetate](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/methylprednisolone)
- [Nimesulide](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/nimesulide)
- [Phenylbutazone](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/phenylbutazone)
- [Prednisolone](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/prednisolone)
- [Robenacoxib](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/robenacoxib)
- [Tolfenamic Acid](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/tolfenamic-acid)

## Frequently asked questions

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

Reference doses for Piroxicam in dogs: 0.3 mg/kg PO q24h (TCC / carcinoma / anti-inflammatory). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

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

Reference doses for Piroxicam in cats: 0.3 mg/kg PO q24–72h (Carcinoma (palliative, cautious)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Piroxicam for rabbits?

Reference doses for Piroxicam in rabbits: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg PO q8h for 3 weeks (Fracture-associated limb swelling). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Piroxicam not be used?

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.

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

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

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition
- Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition

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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.