|  | Conditions Treatments | Prescription Drugs

What Is Metacam Dosage?

Metacam is the brand name for the medication meloxicam. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prescribed to dogs suffering from osteoarthritis-related inflammation and pain.

  1. General Dosage Information

    • Metacam oral suspension comes in bottle sizes of 10 milliliters, 32 milliliters and 100 milliliters. Each drop of the medication equals 0.05 milligrams of medication. A syringe calibrated for daily maintenance doses will come with the medication. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Metacam dosage on the first day should be 0.09 milligrams per pound of the dog's weight. After the first day, the dosage should change to 0.045 milligrams per pound of the dog's weight.

    Administration for Dogs Under 10 Pounds

    • Avoid accidental overdose in small dogs by applying the medication, by drops, to their food rather than into their mouth. The calibrated syringe can only be used for dogs that weight more than five pounds. If your dog weighs less than five pounds, divide its daily dosage by 0.05 to determine the number of drops needed.

    Administration for Dogs More than 10 Pounds

    • The calibrated syringe can be used for the daily maintenance dose for larger dogs. Round their weight to the nearest increment of five.

    Side Effects

    • Side effects of Metacam include vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. Contact your veterinarian if symptoms persist or worsen.

    Warnings

    • Metacam should only be administered to dogs. Keep out of reach of humans and other animals.

Prescription Drugs - Related Articles