Cyanosis after Meloxicam (Metacam) in dogs

The FDA has received 27 reports of cyanosis in dogs after Meloxicam. That is 0.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

27Reports

59%Marked serious

7.4%Recovered

70%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

10 63%

1–2 days

3 19%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

1 6.3%

Over a month

2 13%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 7.4%

Still unwell when reported

1 3.7%

Died

15 56%

Euthanised

4 15%

Not known

5 19%

Problems reported at the same time

18 67%

10 37%

7 26%

7 26%

6 22%

5 19%

5 19%

5 19%

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 cyanosis in dogs?: 27 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 the same 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).

Cyanosis with similar medicines

Cyanosis after Carprofen (Rimadyl) 122 reports · 0.3% of its reports
Cyanosis after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 36 reports · 0.3% of its reports

All reported side effects of Meloxicam in dogs · Medicines most reported with cyanosis