o_rooly Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 So I went to pick up Aston's $4 30-day supply of Meloxicam at Target tonight ( ) and since it was a new prescription, the pharmacist pulled me aside to give me the rundown on the drug. She made sure that I am aware that one of the main side effects of Meloxicam is... wait for it... SLEEPINESS. I told her that I'd be sure to wake my sleeping grey to ask him if he feels drowsier than usual. ANYWAYS. Aston will start Meloxicam tomorrow for his knee. X-rays are clear, but he has favored this leg for a very long time as far as we know, and he is very stiff on it when he gets up from sleeping (so, it's pretty often ). The vet suspects that this is an old meniscal tear that has turned arthritic; we have him on Cosequin and 2000mg of fish oil daily, which seem to have taken the edge off for the most part, but he still has some worse days where he spends a lot of time bunny-hopping. Is 7.5mg/day a usual sustained dose for arthritis? Seems odd to me since this is already a human-sized dose, i.e., I'm not expected to split it. I'm more than happy to bug my vet's office tomorrow about it to be sure (ocd ocd!), but I still have almost 12 hours of GT time till then! Quote every day a tiny adventure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelWhispers Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Per my vet the 7.5mg is waaay to much. How much does Aston weigh? I have 3 dogs on meloxicam and the 50lb dog gets 1/3 of a tablet and the vet said any dog over 68lbs can get 1/2 tablet....this is once a day and it must be given with food to avoid tummy issues. Purchase a pill splitter at the pharmacy because the pills are small and the splitter will help you get an accurate cut. I haven't had any problems with meloxicam and it sure helps keep the arthritic dogs moving and comfortable. I'm surprised the vet didn't give you dosage instructions. Quote Denise & Strider, Blake, Fields, Frank, FlippyDoo, and Momma Gail. The Bridge Angels Zack(Ags Marble Chip) 4/25/93-2/16/06, Wanda(Rainier Rowanda) 12/14/94-06/09/06, Brooke/Boogers(Rainier Restive) 01/01/99-10/20/08, Warlock(Rainier Rammer) 4/29/99-10/01/09), Patsie(Frisky Patsy) 5/17/96-2/05/10, Hatter(Cals Madhatter) 6/3/00-3/11/10, Dodger(Rainier Ransack) 4/29/99-4/16/10, and Sparkle(Okie Sparkle) 11/8/2000-1/28/11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 (edited) Meloxicam maintenance dosage from the (Canadian) Metacam box: .1 mg / kg body weight. Half a 7.5 mg tablet is 3.75 mg, which is enough (divide by .1) for an 37.5 kg--82.5 lb--dog. A full tablet would be enough for a 165 lb dog. As for the warning: Edited September 10, 2009 by GreyPoopon Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I was instructed to give 1/2 of a 7.5 tablet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatricksMom Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I'm not sure if this is at all relevent, but in rabbits it's well known to cause digestive problems. I still use it, it's the only thing that keeps my rabbits pain under control, but it might be something to keep an eye out for. Quote Beth, Petey (8 September 2018- ), and Faith (22 March 2019). Godspeed Patrick (28 April 1999 - 5 August 2012), Murphy (23 June 2004 - 27 July 2013), Leo (1 May 2009 - 27 January 2020), and Henry (10 August 2010 - 7 August 2020), you were loved more than you can know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joejoesmom Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 So I went to pick up Aston's $4 30-day supply of Meloxicam at Target tonight ( ) and since it was a new prescription, the pharmacist pulled me aside to give me the rundown on the drug. She made sure that I am aware that one of the main side effects of Meloxicam is... wait for it... SLEEPINESS. I told her that I'd be sure to wake my sleeping grey to ask him if he feels drowsier than usual. ANYWAYS. Aston will start Meloxicam tomorrow for his knee. X-rays are clear, but he has favored this leg for a very long time as far as we know, and he is very stiff on it when he gets up from sleeping (so, it's pretty often ). The vet suspects that this is an old meniscal tear that has turned arthritic; we have him on Cosequin and 2000mg of fish oil daily, which seem to have taken the edge off for the most part, but he still has some worse days where he spends a lot of time bunny-hopping. Is 7.5mg/day a usual sustained dose for arthritis? Seems odd to me since this is already a human-sized dose, i.e., I'm not expected to split it. I'm more than happy to bug my vet's office tomorrow about it to be sure (ocd ocd!), but I still have almost 12 hours of GT time till then! In humans, this drug can cause stomach upset and eventually can cause a bleeding ulcer (like most of the NSAIDs). However, it works quite well for decreasing the inflamation and pain of arthritis. Just something to be on the lookout for. Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2four Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 My 12.5 year old Lab has been on Meloxicam for a number of years now. She weighs about 70 lb. She gets 1/2 of a 7.5 mg tablet per day. She is always sleeping so you're telling me THAT might be the reason? Quote Tin and Michael and Lucas, Picasso, Hero, Oasis, Galina, Neizan, Enzo, Salvo and Noor the Galgos. Remembering Bridge Angel Greyhounds: Tosca, Jamey, Master, Diego, and Ambi; plus Angel Galgos Jules, Marco and Baltasar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I don't know much about this drug or the dosing, but found the following on google: How Meloxicam Is Supplied Meloxicam is available in 7.5 mg and 15 mg tablets. In U.S.A., Canada and Europe, meloxicam is available as a 1.5 mg/mL oral liquid and as a 5 mg/mL injectable solution. Meloxicam is available as Metacam® in the United States in 0.5 or 1.5 mg/mL liquid suspension for oral administration. Meloxicam is also available as an injectable form concentrated at 5 mg/ml. Dosing Information Medication should never be administered without first consulting your veterinarian. In dogs for an anti-inflammatory effect, meloxicam is dosed at 0.1 mg per pound (0.2 mg/kg) initially, followed by 0.05 mg per pound (0.1 mg/kg) once daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DorasMom Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 My Lightnin uses it for the arthritis in his neck. We've had greyt results. He's 68lbs and takes half a 7.5mg tablet with food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o_rooly Posted September 11, 2009 Author Share Posted September 11, 2009 Soooo.. I called my vet's office to verify the drug dosage, and the receptionist said that the dosage is indeed 7.5mg daily. However, at this point, it'll be on an as-needed basis, if at all - it made no visible difference in Aston's limp today. I think he even bunny-hopped more today than he has in the past few days Another thing is, right after I spoke with the receptionist at the vet's office, I received Aston's full medical history from GreySave. It turns out that he has had this limp since he got off the track at 2 years old, and the first owner spared no expense in investigating the cause. Nothing ever turned up in x-rays, MRIs, blood or even neurological tests with specialists, and the limp appears to have been sporadic all the way. Soooo.. I'll keep the meloxicam on hand just because, but I'm not sure it'll do anything in this case. I will definitely keep on with the Cosequin DS & fish oil that we have him on, though, as that has made a visible difference in his movement in general Thanks for the tips!! Quote every day a tiny adventure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Noooo. You can have major tummy issues with 7.5 a day. Give anything more than one day to work though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o_rooly Posted September 11, 2009 Author Share Posted September 11, 2009 Noooo. You can have major tummy issues with 7.5 a day. Give anything more than one day to work though... hrm.. Methinks I'll continue for a few days with half a tab daily to see if any changes appear.. will give it time to get going in his system, without a dosage high enough to leave him worse for wear. Sounds like a good compromise to me. Quote every day a tiny adventure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest houndlover Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I was instructed to give 1/2 of a 7.5 tablet Same here and Casey weighs about 70lbs. I will say that I really like the meloxicam as compared to other arthritis meds. I ran out of Casey's meloxicam and happened to have some left over rimadyl so I gave him that for a couple of days till I could get his script refilled and it really does a number on his stomach. The meloxicam doesn't seem to bother his stomach at all. I am glad that the pharmacist mentioned the side effects and absolutely love your response....spoken like a true greyhound owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Noooo. You can have major tummy issues with 7.5 a day. Give anything more than one day to work though... hrm.. Methinks I'll continue for a few days with half a tab daily to see if any changes appear.. will give it time to get going in his system, without a dosage high enough to leave him worse for wear. Sounds like a good compromise to me. The whole tablet might be OK for a day as a loading dose, but half is the regular amount. My vet has told me that it's a little like aspirin, which can be used as needed. But I find that it sometimes seems to be more effective after 2-3 days--probably because it's had time to have an impact on the inflammation. Please let us know what you discover. Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HoustonGreys Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I have been on Meloxicam for a year and DD's boy houndie has been on it even longer --- he takes 1/2 of 7.5 mg. daily after breakfast. No problems from either of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetdogs Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 The whole tablet might be OK for a day as a loading dose, but half is the regular amount. I'd call back & ask to speak to the vet, not the receptionist. NSAIDs are nothing to fool around with & someone needs to get the dosage right. Hope it helps Aston - I have a houndie with what appears to be a perma-limp too. He is a wee one though so the pills are really not usable for him. He has to use the liquid instead. Quote Deirdre with Conor (Daring Pocobueno), Keeva (Kiowa Mimi Mona), & kittehs Gemma & robthomas. Our beloved angels Faolin & Liath, & kittehs Mona & Caesar. Remembering Bobby, Doc McCoy, & Chip McGrath. "He feeds you, pets you, adores you, collects your poop in a bag. There's only one explanation: you are a hairy little god." Nick Galifinakis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbullwinkel Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 my female has been on it for a couple years. 7.5 is the loading dose and then 1/2 tablet per day. My vet recently told me to give her the loading dose for 5 days when she injured herself; that it was safe and then to go back to regular dose. she does get blood work for nsaids regularly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WhiteWave Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 My Dobe weighed 95lbs and took 1/2 of a 7.5 mg pill to start with for almost a year once daily. Towards the end he took 7.5 mg plus 50 mg tramadol 2x a day as the pain progressed and we weren't worried about permanent damage to liver/kidneys. At first taking the entire pill upset his stomach, but after a few day he was fine. He was 11 yrs and slept a lot anyways so can't comment on the drowsiness part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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