Long-term safety, efficacy and palatability of oral meloxicam at 0.01–0.03 mg/kg for treatment of osteoarthritic pain in cats

• Published in: Journal of feline medicine and surgery 2008-07, Vol.10 (3), p.235-241
• Main Authors: Gunew, Marcus N., Menrath, Victor H., Marshall, Rhett D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - administration & dosage; Cat Diseases - drug therapy; Cats; clinical trials; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors - administration & dosage; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Male; Meloxicam; osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis - drug therapy; Osteoarthritis - veterinary; Thiazines - administration & dosage; Thiazoles - administration & dosage; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1098-612X; 1532-2750
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfms.2007.10.007

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, painful condition that is now recognised as affecting a large proportion of cats. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have proven efficacy in dogs and humans but there are limited published data on the use of NSAIDs in the long-term management of this condition in cats. This prospective study aimed to assess the long-term safety and palatability of oral meloxicam and its efficacy in treating osteoarthritic pain in cats when given at a dose of 0.01–0.03 mg/kg once daily. Forty cats diagnosed with osteoarthritis completed the trial with a mean treatment duration of 5.8 months. Gastrointestinal upset in 2/46 (4%) cats was the only adverse effect noted. No deleterious effect on renal function was detected in cats studied. Owners subjectively assessed treatment efficacy as good or excellent in 34/40 (85%) of cases. The results of this study showed oral meloxicam to be safe and palatable long-term treatment for osteoarthritis in cats when given with food at a dose of 0.01–0.03 mg/kg.