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Side effects of meloxicam in dogs

The most common side effect of meloxicam in dogs is gastrointestinal upset
Taneia Surles, MPH
By | Jun. 13, 2024 Medically reviewed by Emma Ryan, DVM
A french bulldog sitting: Side effects of meloxicam in dogs

Key takeaways

  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved meloxicam for use in dogs and cats to relieve pain from medical conditions like osteoarthritis (joint pain), neurological disease, or surgery.

  • The most common side effects of meloxicam in dogs are gastrointestinal upset, including diarrhea, vomiting, and decreased or lack of appetite.

  • More serious side effects of meloxicam in dogs may include gastrointestinal or stomach ulcerations, kidney dysfunction (i.e., acute renal failure), or liver damage. 

  • Do not give dogs meloxicam if they take other NSAIDs, corticosteroids, diuretics, or anticoagulant medications. 

  • Be sure to schedule regular checkups with your veterinarian so they can monitor your dog for any meloxicam side effects. 

In this article:

Meloxicam, brand name Metacam, is a prescription medication that falls into the class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves meloxicam for managing pain and inflammation in cats and dogs in veterinary medicine. 

“In dogs, meloxicam is prescribed primarily to relieve pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis (joint pain), neurological disease, or to alleviate discomfort after surgery,” says Mat Glassman, MBA, VMD, DACVS, a veterinary surgeon and founder of Dr. Cuddles in Bethesda, Maryland.

Like most medications, the use of meloxicam may cause some unpleasant side effects in dogs, ranging from mild to severe. 

RELATED: What is meloxicam used for in dogs?

What are the side effects of meloxicam for dogs?

According to Chyrle Bonk, DVM, a contributing veterinarian to dogster.com, dogs typically can tolerate oral meloxicam at the proper dose. However, Dr. Bonk says pet owners may notice their dog experiencing side effects at higher doses or longer-term use.

Possible adverse reactions of meloxicam in dogs can include the following:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Depression
  • Lethargy (tiredness)
  • Gastrointestinal or stomach ulcers
  • Kidney and liver problems

Common side effects

Gastrointestinal upset

The most common side effect of meloxicam in dogs is in the digestive system. 

Dr. Bonk explains that taking oral meloxicam can cause digestive problems, including vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased or lack of appetite. This is because the meloxicam is a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor.

“Unfortunately, some forms of COX are also involved in a lot of other bodily functions, particularly in the production of mucus to protect the lining of the stomach from its own acid,” Dr. Bonk explains. “If you decrease COX for inflammation, you may also decrease the protection that the stomach creates for itself, potentially leading to those digestive signs of vomiting, diarrhea, and not eating.”

Serious side effects

If left untreated, many adverse side effects of meloxicam can lead to more severe health complications in dogs.

Gastrointestinal ulcers

Gastrointestinal or stomach ulcers are open sores that occur when stomach acid erodes through a dog’s mucosa (mucous membrane). This condition is fairly common among dogs.

“Long-term use or high doses of meloxicam can damage the stomach lining, leading to ulcers,” Dr. Glassman says. “Symptoms might include vomiting blood or black, tarry stools (digested blood). Gastrointestinal ulcers can be idiosyncratic, meaning we don’t know why they occur, but they may occur at a normal dose or with only a few doses of meloxicam (in some animals).”

Kidney dysfunction

Dr. Glassman says that meloxicam’s side effects for dogs may include kidney damage due to hypoxemia. 

“This is due to disrupting the kidney’s ability to maintain its blood pressure in an optimal range,” Dr. Glassman says. “This is particularly important when a pet has preexisting kidney disease or low blood pressure (dehydrated, debilitated, etc.) and is less of an issue in an animal that is otherwise very healthy and normal.”

Liver damage

Dr. Glassman states that some liquid meloxicam formulations can contain small amounts of the sweetener xylitol. If given a higher dose of meloxicam, your dog may be more susceptible to xylitol poisoning, which can cause liver damage. 

“Xylitol has been found to cause liver toxicity in dogs,” Dr. Glassman says. “However, the dose of xylitol used in metacam is very low—still, this could be an issue if a dog were to overdose on meloxicam.”

If you believe your dog is experiencing adverse effects from meloxicam, stop administering the steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and seek immediate help from your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital. 

How long do meloxicam side effects last for dogs?

Dr. Glassman says the duration of meloxicam side effects for dogs varies depending on which symptoms your dog is experiencing. 

“Most minor gastrointestinal side effects like upset stomach may resolve within 24 hours of stopping the medication. However, some gastrointestinal ulcers will be a medical or surgical problem. Either because meds need to be given to protect the stomach or because they end up perforating the stomach and need surgery to fix a hole in the stomach. Some effects like kidney damage could be longer-lasting and require medical intervention long-term.”

If you notice your dog displaying any signs of pain or discomfort from taking meloxicam, it’s best to stop the pet medication and seek medical guidance from your veterinarian. 

“If the side effects are severe, your vet will probably take your pet off meloxicam or reduce the dose,” Dr. Bonk says. “Once the medication is discontinued, side effects generally disappear within a few days.”

RELATED: Save up to 80% on meloxicam

Is meloxicam safe for dogs?

According to Dr. Bonk, meloxicam is safe for dogs. However, Dr. Bonk notes that pet owners can lessen the occurrence of side effects with proper and frequent doses. 

Below are potential drug interactions if meloxicam is taken with certain medications.

NSAIDs and Corticosteroids

Meloxicam may cause adverse effects if taken with other NSAIDs and corticosteroids. 

“Meloxicam can interact with other medications, such as other NSAIDs, as this would overly suppress the prostaglandin pathway,” Dr. Glassman says. 

Corticosteroids, or steroids, are a type of anti-inflammatory drug that a dog may take to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. “Concurrent corticosteroids (prednisone and dexamethasone) would also suppress the prostaglandin pathways more and likely result in stomach ulceration,” Dr. Glassman adds.

Diuretics

A veterinarian may prescribe a diuretic, specifically furosemide, to treat congestive heart failure (CHF) or other health conditions. Meloxicam may lessen the effects of this drug if taken in combination. In addition, taking meloxicam and a diuretic together may cause kidney problems, potentially leading to kidney or renal failure.

Anticoagulants

Anticoagulants, such as warfarin, are prescribed to canines to prevent abnormal blood clotting from heart disease and other medical conditions. Research involving human participants reveals that the use of NSAIDs like meloxicam in combination with oral anticoagulants may increase the risk of bleeding. 

Be sure to tell your veterinarian about any medications or supplements (e.g., vitamins, minerals, herbs, etc.) your pet takes. 

Meloxicam warnings

Your dog should not take the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam if they:

  • Have bloody stools or are vomiting
  • Are dehydrated
  • Have pre-existing kidney or liver problems, such as kidney failure
  • Have a loss of appetite
  • Are taking other NSAIDs
  • Are breeding, pregnant, or lactating
  • Are younger than 6 months

Take caution when administering prescription meloxicam if your canine:

  • Has ulcers or has had them in the post
  • Has a pre-existing heart condition
  • Are older, weak, or frail
  • Has a bleeding disorder

It is possible for your dog to experience a meloxicam overdose. Clinical signs and symptoms of meloxicam toxicity may include:

  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Black, tarry stool
  • Diarrhea

Weakness, involuntary muscle movements, and seizures can indicate severe meloxicam poisoning. These signs and symptoms occur within the first day of treatment.

Giving your dog the exact dosage of meloxicam prescription can prevent overdose.  

According to Dr. Bonk, pet owners should notice a difference in their dog’s behavior while taking meloxicam. “Once their pain and inflammation is decreased, they often are more active and energetic, ready to move,” Dr. Bonk says.

As your dog takes meloxicam, keep up with their vet visits so they can be monitored through blood tests and other examinations. “It is important to have regular check-ups with your licensed veterinarian when your dog is on long-term medications like meloxicam to evaluate liver and kidney function and be able to act proactively if there are changes in the blood work that suggest meloxicam should be stopped,” Dr. Glassman says.

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