Drooling after Meloxicam (Metacam) in dogs

The FDA has received 163 reports of drooling in dogs after Meloxicam. That is 2.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all dog medicines.

163Reports
41%Marked serious
24%Recovered
15%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
32 36%
1–2 days
19 21%
3–7 days
15 17%
1–4 weeks
13 14%
Over a month
11 12%

How the animals did

Recovered
38 23%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 0.6%
Still unwell when reported
36 22%
Died
19 12%
Euthanised
6 3.7%
Not known
63 39%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
28
1–3 years
28
4–7 years
28
8–11 years
46
12+ years
32

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 drooling in dogs?
163 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).

Drooling with similar medicines

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