Fever after Meloxicam (Metacam) in cats

212 reports to the FDA describe fever in cats given Meloxicam. That is 5.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 3.2% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

212Reports

37%Marked serious

23%Recovered

13%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

38 29%

1–2 days

32 25%

3–7 days

29 22%

1–4 weeks

28 22%

Over a month

2 1.6%

How the animals did

Recovered

49 23%

Still unwell when reported

48 23%

Died

20 9.4%

Euthanised

7 3.3%

Not known

88 42%

Problems reported at the same time

95 45%

87 41%

50 24%

38 18%

35 17%

28 13%

27 13%

24 11%

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 fever in cats?: 212 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 2 days 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).

Fever with similar medicines

Fever after Robenacoxib (Onsior) 426 reports · 13% of its reports
Fever after Carprofen (Rimadyl) 32 reports · 1.9% of its reports

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