Hiding after Meloxicam (Metacam) in cats

The FDA has received 116 reports of hiding in cats after Meloxicam. That is 3.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.4% across reports for all cat medicines.

116Reports

25%Marked serious

9.5%Recovered

23%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

16 30%

1–2 days

13 24%

3–7 days

13 24%

1–4 weeks

8 15%

Over a month

4 7.4%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 6.9%

Recovered with lasting effects

3 2.6%

Still unwell when reported

20 17%

Died

18 16%

Euthanised

9 7.8%

Not known

58 50%

Problems reported at the same time

80 69%

62 53%

48 41%

39 34%

29 25%

27 23%

26 22%

18 16%

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 hiding in cats?: 116 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).

Hiding with similar medicines

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

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