My vet put my pet on Meloxicam / Mobic / Loxicom / Metacam.  What does that mean?

Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), used as a painkiller or to relieve pain, inflammation and fever in dogs (and more rarely,cats).  It is often prescribed for pets that are diagnosed with osteoarthritis, and is also used to manage post-surgical pain.

Other brand names for meloxicam are Mobic, Loxicom and Metacam - whilst these medications contain the same active ingredient, dosages may differ, and you should check with your vet if you intend to change between the brands.

This article answers some of your common questions, such as how Meloxicam helps your pet, the dosage for Meloxicam, how soon does Meloxicam relieve your pet’s pain and the side-effects of Meloxicam for pets.

Meloxicam and osteoarthritis?

Meloxicam is often prescribed when your pet has progressively worsening inflammation of its joints (your vet may have called this osteoarthritis, or  Degenerative Joint Disease

Carprofen is prescribed for treat osteoarthritis in dogs and is also used to provide pain relief after surgery.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (also called Degenerative Joint Disease or DJD) refers to the medical condition when your pet has progressively worsening inflammation of a joint.  In a healthy joint, which moves smoothly and painlessly, cartilage acts as a cushion - when the cartilage in the joint starts deteriorating, or breaking down, it is called osteoarthritis. This can happen due to “wear & tear” or due to disease, age, injury, repetitive stress, or obesity. 

You may have seen your dog show pain, or a decreased range of motion or your pet may develop inflammation or bone spurs.  Joints most likely to be affected are the legs and lower back.   

Dogs are really good at hiding their pain, so the early symptoms of osteoarthritis may not be immediately seen by pet owners.  Here are some signs to watch for in your dog:

• Stiffness, lameness, limping, or difficulty

Trocoxil is prescribed for dogs that are diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

What is osteoarthritis?

Sometimes called Degenerative Joint Disease or DJD, osteoarthritis refers to when your pet has progressively worsening inflammation of a joint.  This happens when the cartilage in the joint starts deteriorating.  In a healthy joint, which moves smoothly and painlessly, the cartilage acts as a cushion.  This cushioning cartilage can start to break down or deteriorate, due to age, injury, repetitive stress, obesity, or disease. 

If your dog has osteoarthritis, he or she may show pain, or a decreased range of motion, and may develop inflammation or bone spurs.  The legs and lower back are the most likely to be affected.   

Dogs are really good at not showing that they are in pain, so you might not see the early symptoms of osteoarthritis.  Watch out for these signs in your dog, and discuss changes with your vet:

• Lethargy, or reluctance to run, jump, or play
• Stiffness, lameness,

Previcox is prescribed for dogs that are diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (sometimes called Degenerative Joint Disease or DJD) is a progressively worsening inflammation of the joint and is caused by the cartilage in the joint deteriorating.  When a joint is healthy, the cartilage acts as a cushion, and the joint moves smoothly and painlessly.  With age, injury, repetitive stress, obesity or disease, the cartilage can start to deteriorate or break down. You may have noticed that your dog is “not himself”, not showing enthusiasm for your normal games or walks, or is slow in his movements.   

Pets with osteoarthritis may show pain, or a decreased range of motion, and may develop inflammation or bone spurs.  The joints most likely to be affected are the legs and lower back. 

Because dogs are braver than us humans, your dog may not show early symptoms - but you should watch for these signs in your dog, and discuss changes with your vet:

• Stiffness,