Meloxidyl 1.5mg/ml Oral Suspension for Dogs (Meloxicam) – Once-Daily NSAID for Osteoarthritis & Pain | 32ml

What Is Meloxidyl 1.5mg/ml Oral Suspension for Dogs?

Meloxidyl 1.5mg/ml is a veterinary oral suspension containing meloxicam 1.5mg per ml, manufactured by CEVA Santé Animale. It is a once-daily non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for dogs, providing 24-hour relief from pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. Meloxidyl is the generic equivalent of Metacam — same active ingredient, same concentration, at a more accessible price point.

The suspension is sweetened and readily accepted by most dogs, and can be given directly into the mouth or mixed with food. Each 32ml bottle comes with two calibrated dosing syringes — a blue-print small syringe for dogs under 15 lbs and a green-print large syringe for dogs 15 lbs and over.

⚠️ DO NOT USE IN CATS. The 1.5mg/ml concentration is formulated for dogs only. Cats require a separate, lower-concentration formulation (0.5mg/ml). See the warning section below.

How Meloxicam Works

Meloxicam is a COX-2 preferential NSAID — it inhibits both cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymes, but with greater selectivity for COX-2 than older NSAIDs like aspirin. COX enzymes are responsible for producing prostaglandins — inflammatory mediators that trigger pain, swelling, heat, and fever in damaged or inflamed tissue.

By inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis, meloxicam reduces all four cardinal signs of inflammation at the site of disease. Its COX-2 preference means it produces less gastrointestinal irritation than non-selective NSAIDs (which also suppress COX-1-mediated protective prostaglandins in the stomach lining) — though GI adverse effects are still possible and must be monitored.

Indications

• Osteoarthritis (OA) — the primary indication; chronic joint inflammation causing stiffness, lameness, and pain in ageing or overweight dogs
• Acute musculoskeletal disorders — sprains, strains, muscle injuries
• Post-operative pain and inflammation — following orthopaedic or soft tissue surgery
• Chronic musculoskeletal pain — long-term maintenance therapy for dogs with persistent joint disease

Dosage

Meloxidyl is given once daily. A loading dose is required on day 1 only, followed by a lower maintenance dose from day 2 onwards.

Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient response. The dosing syringes are calibrated for the maintenance dose by body weight in pounds.

Dosing by Syringe

Dogs under 15 lbs (6.8 kg) — use the BLUE-print small syringe:

• Syringe marks: 0.5 lb, then 1 lb increments from 1 to 14 lbs
• Round the dog’s weight DOWN to the nearest 1 lb mark
• For dogs under 1 lb: use the 0.5 lb mark

Dogs 15 lbs (6.8 kg) and over — use the GREEN-print large syringe:

• Syringe marks: 5 lb increments from 5 to 140 lbs
• Round the dog’s weight DOWN to the nearest 5 lb mark

Never use the large green syringe for dogs under 15 lbs — the larger syringe cannot accurately measure small doses and risks overdosing small dogs.

How Long Does the 32ml Bottle Last?

At the maintenance dose of 0.1mg/kg (= 0.067ml/kg at 1.5mg/ml concentration):

Administration

1. Shake well before use — the suspension settles and must be remixed before each dose
2. Remove cap and attach the appropriate dosing syringe
3. Invert the bottle and draw up the dose to the correct weight mark
4. Administer directly into the mouth or mix with food
5. Replace and tighten the cap after use
6. Give at the same time each day to maintain consistent blood levels

⚠️ DO NOT USE IN CATS — Critical Warning

The Meloxidyl 1.5mg/ml formulation is for dogs only. This concentration is three times higher than the cat-appropriate formulation (0.5mg/ml). Cats metabolise meloxicam far more slowly than dogs due to their limited glucuronidation capacity (reduced UGT enzyme activity). Using the dog formulation in a cat — even at what appears to be a low volume — delivers a dramatically higher dose per kg than intended and can cause:

• Severe acute kidney failure
• Gastrointestinal haemorrhage
• Hepatic failure
• Death

If you need meloxicam for a cat, use Meloxidyl 0.5mg/ml Oral Suspension for Cats — never the dog formulation.

Contraindications

• Known hypersensitivity to meloxicam or any other NSAID
• Cats — absolutely contraindicated
• Dogs under 6 months of age — safety not established
• Pregnant, breeding, or lactating dogs — safety not established
• Pre-existing gastrointestinal disease, ulceration, or bleeding
• Liver disease or significantly elevated liver enzymes
• Kidney disease or significantly impaired renal function
• Bleeding disorders or coagulopathies
• Dehydrated or hypovolaemic dogs — increased renal risk

Critical Drug Interactions

Monitoring for Long-Term Use

For dogs receiving Meloxidyl for chronic conditions (osteoarthritis), regular monitoring is essential:

• Baseline blood work before starting: biochemistry panel including BUN, creatinine, ALT, ALP to establish baseline kidney and liver function
• Repeat blood work every 3–6 months during long-term therapy
• Watch for clinical signs of GI toxicity: vomiting, diarrhoea (especially with blood), black or tarry stools, reduced appetite
• Watch for signs of renal compromise: increased thirst and urination, reduced urination, lethargy
• Discontinue immediately and contact your vet if any of these signs develop

Side Effects

• Gastrointestinal — vomiting, diarrhoea, reduced appetite; most common; giving with food reduces GI irritation
• GI ulceration / haemorrhage — rare at correct doses; risk increases with concurrent NSAID/steroid use, dehydration, or prolonged therapy
• Renal — reduced kidney function; risk higher in dehydrated, elderly, or renally compromised dogs
• Hepatic — elevated liver enzymes; rare but possible, particularly with prolonged use
• Behavioural changes — lethargy, altered activity level

Storage

• Store at room temperature (below 30°C / 86°F)
• Keep in original bottle; do not transfer to other containers
• After opening, use within the period stated on the label
• Keep out of reach of children and other animals

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Meloxidyl the same as Metacam?

Yes — both contain meloxicam 1.5mg/ml oral suspension for dogs, and both are manufactured by CEVA. Meloxidyl is the generic brand name for the same product. The active ingredient, concentration, formulation, and dosing are identical. Many vets and pharmacies use both names interchangeably.

Does Meloxidyl need to be given with food?

It can be given with or without food. However, giving it with food or mixed into a meal significantly reduces the risk of gastrointestinal upset, which is the most common side effect. For long-term use especially, mixing into food is recommended.

How quickly does Meloxidyl work for osteoarthritis?

Most dogs show improvement in comfort, mobility, and willingness to move within 24–48 hours of starting treatment. Maximum anti-inflammatory effect builds over several days of continuous use. If no improvement is seen after 7 days, reassessment of diagnosis and treatment plan is warranted.

Can I use Meloxidyl for dogs alongside other pain medications?

Never combine Meloxidyl with other NSAIDs (carprofen/Rimadyl, aspirin, robenacoxib/Onsior) or corticosteroids (prednisolone, dexamethasone) — the combined GI and renal toxicity risk is severe. Meloxidyl can be used alongside some other pain management approaches (paracetamol in dogs — but NOT cats, gabapentin, tramadol) under veterinary guidance.

Can I give my dog aspirin instead of Meloxidyl?

Aspirin is a non-selective NSAID with a significantly higher GI toxicity profile than meloxicam and a much narrower safety margin in dogs. Veterinary-formulated NSAIDs like Meloxidyl are specifically developed and dosed for canine physiology. Do not substitute aspirin for Meloxidyl without veterinary guidance, and never give both simultaneously.

Also available: Meloxidyl 0.5mg/ml for Cats (15ml) | Meloxoral 1.5mg/ml for Dogs (50ml) | Rimadyl 100mg (Carprofen) for Dogs