Miloxicam? (sp?)

[Karinka200]

Is anyone familiar with the drug? It is in the same class as Rimadyl.

Our lurcher went lame on Saturday. We were able to get her into the vet. X-rays were inconclusive. A small cloudy spot was seen near the tip of the spine which they thought could be the onset of arthritis. If it is, we were told it may be pressing on a nerve, thus causing the pain and limping. The vet also felt some "softness" in the knee joint...a possible cruciate tear.

He recommended Rimadyl. I declined given the fact that our lab died from complications of the drug. I asked why we couldn't just use an enteric coated aspirin as we had done several years ago when our other lab develped arthritis. He said, that is no longer the protocol as it has been determined that the gastric problems were just as problematic as the side effects of Rimadyl. I haven't seen any studies on this. Has anyone here?

He said she needs an anit-inflammatory to assist and speed up the healing.

Any opinions?

Thanks in advance,
Karinka

[Anne]

Meloxicam is the generic form of Mobic. Mobic is the tablet form of Metacam liquid. Vets usually prescribe Metacam liquid in my experience.

[StephanieandToby]

I had my dog on Meloxicam....it is the "human equivilent" of Metacam and about a quarter of the price. Mine was in a liquid suspension that I got at a compounding pharmacy....Toby did very well on it with no adverse effects.

[jakesfostermom]

Karinka - We had an aging chocolate lab who was on meloxicam liquid for well over a year and did VERY well. Had no complications and his levels all remained stable at each of the three month checkup/blood studies. If I were given this drug as an option for one of my dogs, I personally would not hesitate to give it a try - good luck and be sure to get those recommended blood studies done just to be sure there aren't changes going on with the liver or kidneys. (we were on Rymadyl at first and the liver wasn't handling it well, so we changed to meloxicam)

[Mavides]

It is still an NSAID though (non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drug)...so liver levels should be monitored if it is to be used for any length of time. That being said, I've had my arthritic Chow on it for about 6 months now with no trouble...and Legend has used it for short periods of time when he was having knee trouble.

[Karinka200]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I am surprised, given what we went through with the Rimadyl, the vet STILL did NOT mention the routine blood panels. I am going to insist that these be done even if he feels it isn't necessary. Thanks....I appreciate the responses....

By the way, we were given the liquid form of the drug so that we could dose by weight.....

[brunie's mom]

My Bruno was on this drug for over 2 years because of his HD....he had no problems with it.

Now China started limping on the front left leg...and after x-rays and a blood work up, and a diagnosis of arthritis (??)...she is on the Metacam.

It does not seem to be bothering her at all.

Gina

[Rotty4Me]

My Jag is on it for osteosarcoma. He did develop some stomach irritation a few weeks after starting the drug so we also have him on a drug to protect his stomach lining.

Maureen

[Mochasmom]

Moose was on it for his arthritis pain every day.
Fritz gets it sporadically when he has a bad day.
Neither had any adverse effects.