Dosage and Administration:
Always provide client information sheet with prescription. Carefully consider the potential benefits and risk of Metacam and other treatment options before deciding to use Metacam. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual response. Metacam Oral Suspension should be administered initially at 0.09 mg/lb (0.2 mg/kg) body weight only on the first day of treatment. For all treatments after day 1, Metacam Oral Suspension should be administered once daily at a dose of 0.045 mg/lb (0.1 mg/kg). The syringe is calibrated to deliver the daily maintenance dose in pounds.

Directions for Administration (1.5 mg/mL strength):
Dogs under 10 pounds (4.5 kg)
Shake well before use, then remove cap. Particular care should be given with regard to the accuracy of dosing. To prevent accidental overdosing of small dogs, administer drops on food only, never directly into the mouth. Carefully measure suspension onto food to assure that the correct dose is given before presentation of the food to the dog. The syringe provided with the meloxicam concentration of 1.5 mg/mL cannot be used to measure doses for dogs weighing less than 5 lbs (2.3 kg).

For dogs less than 5 lbs (2.3 kg)
Metacam Oral Suspension can be given using the dropper bottle: one drop for each pound of body weight for the 1.5 mg/mL concentration (two drops for each kilogram of body weight), dropped directly onto the food.

For dogs between 5 - 10 pounds
Metacam Oral Suspension can be given by drops or by using the measuring syringe provided in the package (see dosing procedure below). The syringe fits on to the bottle and has a scale beginning at 5 lbs, designed to deliver the daily maintenance dose (0.05 mg/lb or 0.1 mg/kg). When using the syringe, the dog's weight should be rounded down to the nearest 5 pound increment. Replace and tighten cap after use.

Dogs over 10 pounds (4.5 kg)
Shake well before use then remove cap. Metacam Oral Suspension may be either mixed with food or placed directly into the mouth. Particular care should be given with regard to the accuracy of dosing. Metacam Oral Suspension can be given using the measuring syringe provided in the package (see dosing procedure below). The syringe fits on to the bottle and has a scale in pounds designed to deliver the daily maintenance dose (0.05 mg/lb or 0.1 mg/kg). When using the syringe, the dog’s weight should be rounded down to the nearest 5 pound increment. Alternatively, Metacam Oral Suspension can be given using the dropper bottle: one drop for each pound of body weight for the 1.5 mg/mL concentration (two drops for each kilogram of body weight). Replace and tighten cap after use.

Directions for Administration (0.5 mg/mL strength):
Dogs under 10 pounds (4.5 kg)
Shake well before use, then remove cap. Particular care should be given with regard to the accuracy of dosing. To prevent accidental overdosing of small dogs, administer drops on food only, never directly into the mouth. Carefully measure suspension onto food to assure that the correct dose is given before presentation of the food to the dog. The syringe provided with the meloxicam concentration of 0.5 mg/mL cannot be used to measure doses for dogs weighing less than 1 lb (0.45 kg).

For dogs less than 1 lb (0.45 kg)
Metacam Oral Suspension can be given using the dropper bottle: two drops for each pound of body weight for the 0.5 mg/mL concentration (five drops for each kilogram of body weight), dropped directly onto the food.

For dogs between 1-10 pounds
Metacam Oral Suspension can be given by drops or by using the measuring syringe provided in the package (see dosing procedure below). The syringe fits on to the bottle and has a scale beginning at 1 lb, designed to deliver the daily maintenance dose (0.05 mg/lb or 0.1 mg/kg). When using the syringe, the dog's weight should be rounded down to the nearest 1 pound increment. Replace and tighten cap after use.

Dogs over 10 pounds (4.5 kg)
Shake well before use then remove cap. Metacam Oral Suspension may be either mixed with food or placed directly into the mouth. Particular care should be given with regard to the accuracy of dosing. Metacam Oral Suspension can be given using the measuring syringe provided in the package (see dosing procedure below). The syringe fits on to the bottle and has a scale in pounds designed to deliver the daily maintenance dose (0.05 mg/lb or 0.1 mg/kg). When using the syringe, the dog's weight should be rounded down to the nearest 1 pound increment. Alternatively, Metacam Oral Suspension can be given using the dropper bottle: two drops for each pound of body weight for the 0.5 mg/mL concentration (five drops for each kilogram of body weight). Replace and tighten cap after use.

1. Shake bottle well. Push down and unscrew bottle top. Attach the dosing syringe to the bottle by gently pushing the end on to the top of the bottle.
2. Turn the bottle/syringe upside down. Pull the plunger out until the black line on the plunger corresponds to the dog's body weight in pounds.
3. Turn the bottle right way up and with a twisting movement separate the dosing syringe from the bottle.
4. Push the plunger to empty the contents of the syringe.

Active Ingredients:
Meloxicam and Sodium Benzoate

Caution:
Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for oral use in dogs only.

Warning:
Repeated use of meloxicam in cats has been associated with acute renal failure and death. Do not administer additional injectable or oral meloxicam to cats. See Contraindications, Warnings, and Precautions for detailed information.

Contraindications:
Dogs with known hypersensitivity to meloxicam should not receive Metacam Oral Suspension. Do not use Metacam Oral Suspension in cats. Acute renal failure and death have been associated with the use of meloxicam in cats.

Warnings:
Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of reach of children. Consult a physician in case of accidental ingestion by humans. For oral use in dogs only.

As with any NSAID all dogs should undergo a thorough history and physical examination before the initiation of NSAID therapy. Appropriate laboratory testing to establish hematological and serum biochemical baseline data is recommended prior to and periodically during administration. Owner should be advised to observe their dog for signs of potential drug toxicity and be given a client information sheet about Metacam.

Precautions:
The safe use of Metacam Oral Suspension in dogs younger than 6 months of age, dogs used for breeding, or in pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. Meloxicam is not recommended for use in dogs with bleeding disorders, as safety has not been established in dogs with these disorders. As a class, cyclo-oxygenase inhibitory NSAIDs may be associated with gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic toxicity. Sensitivity to drug-associated adverse events varies with the individual patient. Dogs that have experienced adverse reactions from one NSAID may experience adverse reactions from another NSAID. Patients at greatest risk for renal toxicity are those that are dehydrated, on concomitant diuretic therapy, or those with existing renal, cardiovascular, and/or hepatic dysfunction. Concurrent administration of potentially nephrotoxic drugs should be carefully approached. NSAIDs may inhibit the prostaglandins that maintain normal homeostatic function. Such anti-prostaglandin effects may result in clinically significant disease in patients with underlying or pre-existing disease that has not been previously diagnosed. Since NSAIDs possess the potential to induce gastrointestinal ulcerations and/or perforations, concomitant use with other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as NSAIDs or corticosteroids, should be avoided. If additional pain medication is needed after administration of the total daily dose of Metacam Oral Suspension, a non-NSAID or non-corticosteroid class of analgesia should be considered. The use of another NSAID is not recommended. Consider appropriate washout times when switching from corticosteroid use or from one NSAID to another in dogs. The use of concomitantly protein-bound drugs with Metacam Oral Suspension has not been studied in dogs. Commonly used protein-bound drugs include cardiac, anticonvulsant and behavioral medications. The influence of concomitant drugs that may inhibit metabolism of Metacam Oral Suspension has not been evaluated. Drug compatibility should be monitored in patients requiring adjunctive therapy.

Prescription

This item requires a valid prescription from a licensed veterinarian.