Prescribing overview
US Metacam route/species restrictions are critical: oral suspension is canine-only.
Key prescribing checks
- The US feline boxed warning states that repeated meloxicam use has been associated with acute renal failure and death; do not give additional oral or injectable meloxicam to cats after the labeled injection.
- Assess hydration, kidney and liver status and gastrointestinal history; review other NSAIDs, corticosteroids and potentially nephrotoxic drugs before treatment.
- Explain adverse-effect signs such as vomiting, reduced appetite and dark stools, and establish follow-up. The canine oral label calls for periodic reassessment during NSAID administration.
Uses by species
Approval and evidence apply to the named product, species, route and indication. An extra-label use requires its own prescribing assessment; a human indication is not an animal approval.
Dogs
FDA-approved veterinary labelOsteoarthritis pain/inflammation
Oral or initial injection.
Use / indication source ↗Cats
FDA-approved veterinary labelPostoperative pain/inflammation: orthopedic surgery, ovariohysterectomy or castration
One preoperative SQ injection only.
Use / indication source ↗Pharmacology & pharmacokinetics
Mechanism and clinical role
Cyclooxygenase inhibition reduces prostaglandin-mediated inflammation.
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination
Label single-dose half-life: dogs about 24 hours; cats about 15 hours.
SAFETY REFERENCE · PRODUCT & SPECIES SPECIFIC
Contraindications & cautions
Contraindications identify circumstances where the source says a product should not be used. Precautions call for assessment or monitoring. Interactions identify combinations to review. They are distinct categories; this summary does not replace a full interaction check or the current product label.
Metacam
Dogs; injectable solution
Contraindications · when not to use
- Known meloxicam hypersensitivity.
Precautions & monitoring
- Review dehydration, renal/cardiac/hepatic disease and bleeding disorders. Reproductive and young-puppy safety is unevaluated.
Metacam
Cats; single-use subcutaneous injectable solution
Contraindications · when not to use
- Meloxicam hypersensitivity.
- Pre-existing renal dysfunction.
- Additional meloxicam or other NSAIDs after the single injection.
Precautions & monitoring
- Repeated exposure has caused acute renal failure and death. Reproductive and young-kitten safety is unevaluated.
Metacam Oral Suspension
Dogs; oral suspension
Contraindications · when not to use
- Meloxicam hypersensitivity.
- Use in cats is prohibited by the US label.
Precautions & monitoring
- Review dehydration, organ dysfunction and bleeding disorders.
Safety sources checked: . Selected label information; independent veterinary or veterinary-pharmacy review remains pending. A label for dogs, cats, horses or humans does not establish safety for another species.
Adverse effects
GI ulceration, renal/hepatic toxicity occur. Repeated feline use is associated with acute renal failure and death.
These are selected source-reported effects, not incidence estimates or an exhaustive list. Spontaneous postmarketing reports do not by themselves establish frequency or causality.
Dosing & administration
| Species & indication | Labeled regimen | Eligibility & source |
|---|---|---|
| DogsOsteoarthritisMetacam oral suspension 0.5 mg/mL | Day 1: 0.2 mg/kg; thereafter 0.1 mg/kg Oral · Once daily Shortest effective course | Shake; <10 lb administer on food only; use product-specific measuring device. Verify full dosing label ↗ |
| DogsOsteoarthritisMetacam 5 mg/mL injection | 0.2 mg/kg IV or SQ · Single initial dose Once; oral 0.1 mg/kg daily may start 24 hours later | Not IM. Verify full dosing label ↗ |
| CatsLabeled postoperative pain/inflammationMetacam 5 mg/mL injection | 0.3 mg/kg SQ only; never IV · Single preoperative dose One dose only | No subsequent meloxicam or other NSAID; contraindicated with renal dysfunction. Verify full dosing label ↗ |
Avoid concurrent NSAIDs/corticosteroids.
Extra-label prescribing and food-animal residue requirements are separate from labeled regimens. FDA extra-label-use guidance ↗
Drug & supplement interactions
This is a selected interaction reference, not an automated or comprehensive combination checker. Reconcile prescription drugs, nonprescription products, supplements and recent treatment changes.
Metacam
Dogs; injectable solution
- Avoid other NSAIDs or corticosteroids; use caution with nephrotoxic medicines.
Metacam
Cats; single-use subcutaneous injectable solution
- Do not follow injection with oral meloxicam or another NSAID.
Metacam Oral Suspension
Dogs; oral suspension
- Avoid other NSAIDs/corticosteroids; assess nephrotoxic drugs and washout periods.
Monitoring
Assess hydration and baseline/periodic hematology/chemistry.
Client counseling
Stop canine treatment and promptly report vomiting, appetite loss or black stools.
This section supports the veterinary team's discharge discussion; it does not replace the product’s Client Information Sheet where one is required.
Storage & handling
Follow formulation-specific room-temperature storage.
Brands, formulations & ingredient identity
Active ingredients
Meloxicam
Both oral and injectable Metacam contain meloxicam, but the routes, concentrations and species instructions are not interchangeable.
A feline indication on the injection does not make the dog oral suspension a cat-labeled product. Confirm the country-specific label rather than borrowing instructions from another jurisdiction.
Shared ingredients do not establish interchangeable concentrations, routes, release properties, species labeling or regional availability.
Metacam
- Formulation
- Injectable solution
- Label / product scope
- Dogs · Cats
Separate species labeling; feline use is restricted to the labeled single perioperative injection.
Product label / source ↗Metacam Oral Suspension
- Formulation
- Oral suspension
- Label / product scope
- Dogs
Dog-labeled oral formulation; do not infer a feline repeat-use regimen.
Product label / source ↗References & review status
Clinical reference updated October 16, 2026. Independent veterinary or veterinary-pharmacy review not yet completed. Evidence gaps remain explicitly identified; this page does not claim equivalence to a comprehensive, professionally reviewed veterinary formulary.
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