Meloxicam for Dogs – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Alternatives

There are quite literally countless anti-inflammatory medications on the market for dogs today, and here’s another one: Meloxicam.

In this article, we’ll go over what Meloxicam can do for your dog. In addition, we will go over the dosage guidelines and the side effects associated with this medication. If you don’t necessarily like what you see, that’s okay! There’s always a natural alternative to fall back on.

What is Meloxicam & what can it be used for?

Meloxicam is an anti-inflammatory medication known to treat inflammatory symptoms, stiffness, fever, and pain associated with musculoskeletal system diseases like osteoarthritis. Your vet will likely only prescribe Meloxicam to your dog in pill form.

It is not sold over the counter. Unfortunately, one of the main reasons it is not available for purchase over the counter is because it has a long list of potential adverse reactions, but we’ll get to that later.

What is the correct dosage to administer to my dog?

As with many medications, Meloxicam needs to be prescribed by your veterinarian. Generally speaking, he or she will base the dosage off your dog’s weight. For instance, the first dose should be approximately 0.1 mg per pound; all treatments after the first day should be lowered to 0.045 – 0.05 mg per pound, once daily.

Though it is true that Meloxicam can be administered on an empty stomach, it is not suggested. Many veterinarians agree that giving your dog this medication while there’s food and water in his or her stomach will greatly impact the digestion of the anti-inflammatory significantly, and in a good way.

Many veterinarians tend to prescribe the pill form of Meloxicam. If your dog has trouble swallowing the pill or starts not to eat the food that is wrapped around the pill, begin to talk to him or her about the liquid version of Meloxicam.

Are there side effects associated with Meloxicam?

Of course, there are side effects with Meloxicam, as there are side effects with every prescription medication ever created.

However, Meloxicam has a rather lengthy list of side effects that come along with taking the medication. Some of the more popular ones are listed below:

• Black stools
• Bloody Stools
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Stomach ulcers
• Appetite loss
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Depression

If your dog starts to exhibit any of these signs or symptoms, you should stop giving him or her the medication and get to the vet as soon as you can. If it doesn’t seem too serious, try giving the veterinarian a quick phone call.

Is there an alternative I can turn to?

Though CBD was discovered to have health benefits years ago, it was not made known that it could be extremely beneficial to dogs until recently. As an alternative method, you can use CBD oil to calm any symptoms associated with pain and inflammation.

If you’re looking to improve your dog’s overall quality of life, too, you’ll want to purchase some CBD products for dogs. Visit some of our other articles to distinguish what brand and product are best for you and your pup.

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