Dilated pupils after Meloxicam (Metacam) in cats

53 reports to the FDA describe dilated pupils in cats given Meloxicam. That is 1.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all cat medicines.

53Reports

55%Marked serious

30%Recovered

15%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

22 46%

1–2 days

18 38%

3–7 days

4 8.3%

1–4 weeks

2 4.2%

Over a month

2 4.2%

How the animals did

Recovered

15 28%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.9%

Still unwell when reported

17 32%

Died

5 9.4%

Euthanised

3 5.7%

Not known

12 23%

Problems reported at the same time

Loss of appetite

20 38%

Behaviour change

19 36%

Wobbliness (ataxia)

13 25%

Restlessness or agitation

13 25%

10 19%

8 15%

7 13%

7 13%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Meloxicam relieves pain and inflammation.

Products with this ingredient include Metacam. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

NSAIDs can affect the stomach, liver and kidneys. Vets usually recommend blood tests before and during long-term use.

Questions owners ask

Can Meloxicam cause dilated pupils in cats?: 53 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 1 day of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Dilated pupils with similar medicines

Dilated pupils after Robenacoxib (Onsior) 146 reports · 4.5% of its reports

All reported side effects of Meloxicam in cats · Medicines most reported with dilated pupils