Digestive tract disorder after Meloxicam (Metacam) in dogs

The FDA has received 90 reports of digestive tract disorder in dogs after Meloxicam. That is 1.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.0% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

90Reports
22%Marked serious
7.8%Recovered
29%Died or euthanised
14 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
2 10%
1–2 days
5 25%
3–7 days
1 5.0%
1–4 weeks
5 25%
Over a month
7 35%

How the animals did

Recovered
5 5.6%
Recovered with lasting effects
2 2.2%
Still unwell when reported
7 7.8%
Died
22 24%
Euthanised
4 4.4%
Not known
50 56%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
8
1–3 years
6
4–7 years
23
8–11 years
25
12+ years
25

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 digestive tract disorder in dogs?
90 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 14 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).

Digestive tract disorder with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Meloxicam in dogs · Medicines most reported with digestive tract disorder