Peritonitis after Meloxicam (Metacam) in dogs

The FDA has received 108 reports of peritonitis in dogs after Meloxicam. That is 1.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

108Reports

40%Marked serious

9.3%Recovered

64%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 14%

1–2 days

13 36%

3–7 days

16 44%

1–4 weeks

2 5.6%

Over a month

0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

10 9.3%

Still unwell when reported

8 7.4%

Died

58 54%

Euthanised

11 10%

Not known

21 19%

Problems reported at the same time

Vomiting

75 69%

Death

69 64%

Loss of appetite

51 47%

Intestinal perforation

49 45%

46 43%

33 31%

32 30%

28 26%

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 peritonitis in dogs?: 108 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 3 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).

Peritonitis with similar medicines

Peritonitis after Carprofen (Rimadyl) 298 reports · 0.6% of its reports
Peritonitis after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 617 reports · 5.6% of its reports
Peritonitis after Firocoxib (Previcox) 255 reports · 3.2% of its reports

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