How much meloxicam can I give my dog?
The amount of meloxicam you can give your dog will depend on your dog’s weight. Follow your veterinarian’s instructions carefully. They will prescribe the lowest effective dose for the shortest time possible to treat your dog’s symptoms. This will help avoid side effects in your dog.
For dogs, meloxicam is available as an oral suspension and injection. The injection form of meloxicam is for veterinarian use only.
Your veterinarian may give you a dosing syringe to help you measure the correct dose of meloxicam based on your dog’s weight. Giving meloxicam to your dog with food may help reduce stomach side effects. Always shake the bottle well before drawing up your dog’s dose.
If your dog receives an injection of meloxicam from your veterinarian, they will typically be started on the oral suspension 24 hours after their last dose. The usual dose is 0.1 mg/kg of meloxicam oral suspension given by mouth once a day. It can be mixed with food or given directly in the mouth.
If your dog does not receive an injection of meloxicam from your veterinarian, they will typically be started on meloxicam oral suspension the same day. The dose will depend on your dog’s weight. The typical dose is 0.09 mg/lb (0.2 mg/kg) on day 1 given by mouth or mixed with food, then 0.045 mg/lb (0.1 mg/kg) once a day.
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How much meloxicam do I give a 50 pound dog?
If your dog weighs 50 lbs, you will typically give them 4.5 mg of meloxicam on the first day of treatment followed by 2.25 mg once a day.
Meloxicam is commonly available in a 1.5 mg/mL (0.05 mg per drop) concentration, but is also available in a 0.5 mg/mL (0.02 mg per drop) concentration. Make sure you know which concentration you have for your dog. Your veterinarian will show you how much medication to put in the dosing syringe based on your dog’s weight.
Keep in mind that your veterinarian may prescribe meloxicam differently for your dog than the dosing outlined above. If you have any questions about how much meloxicam to give your dog, contact your veterinarian.
References
Loxicom [package insert]. Updated February 2022. Norbrook Laboratories Limited. Accessed August 2, 2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8c1f6a04-5753-4723-a3ac-c61f6a478ae3
Metacam - meloxicam injection, solution [package insert]. Updated March 2024. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. Accessed August 2, 2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ca78caf5-2b47-46c1-abec-0f925b39f455
Plumb’s Veterinary Medication Guides. (2020). Meloxicam. Accessed August 2, 2024 at https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/AnimalShelter/Meloxicam%20Info%20Sheet.pdf
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Drug information
- Meloxicam Information for Consumers
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- Side Effects of Meloxicam (detailed)
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