Proven efficacy that allows you to use METACAM with confidence
The strength of evidence for METACAM efficacy is impressive
A 2007 article published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association ranked meloxicam (the active ingredient in METACAM) higher than two other leading NSAIDs for having stronger quality of evidence supporting its efficacy in treating OA in dogs.1
The Authors concluded:
In our systematic review, 4 studies on use of meloxicam received a first-level rank, suggesting that a high level of comfort exists that the claimed relation is scientifically valid and can reduce the clinical signs of osteoarthritis.
All 4 studies were type I studies, received the highest rating scores, and reported a positive effect subjectively or both subjectively and objectively.
Current reported adverse effects are low and predominantly include gastrointestinal tract disturbances.
Presently, a high level of comfort exists for meloxicam that the claimed relationship is scientifically valid and that its clinical use to treat osteoarthritis in dogs can be efficacious.?
Proven clinical improvements
DOSAGE: Meloxicam injectable Sub-Q 0.2 mg/kg on Day 1, followed by 0.1 mg/kg orally once daily.
RESULTS: Investigators evaluated lameness, weight bearing, and palpation pain. The results show that in the affected limb, the meloxicam treated group resulted in statistically significant improvement in lameness score at Days 8 and 15 (p=0.0080, p=0.0153 for Day 8 and Day 15, respectively), palpation pain score at Days 8 and 15 (p=0.0048, p=0.0271 for Day 8 and Day 15, respectively), and weight bearing score at Day 15 (p=0.0257).
Case histories
Large dog: Duke's story
Duke was diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) shortly after his owners noticed a disturbing change in him. He was slow to get up and had lost interest in many of his favorite activities—running in the yard, jumping to catch a frisbee, bounding up the stairs at night; but thanks to METACAM, things are looking up for Duke and his family. A single injection of METACAM in the veterinary clinic provided Duke with quick pain relief. When he returned home, his owners continued his pain management therapy with easy-to-administer oral METACAM. A single daily dose of METACAM provides a large dog like Duke with 24-hour relief of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. After just 8 weeks of therapy, Duke's acting...and moving—like his old self again.
Small dog: Peanut's story
When Peanut's owners noticed that his seemingly boundless energy was fading, they started to wonder what was happening to the 3-lb dynamo they knew and loved. Peanut's owners felt that he may simply be getting old, but after being diagnosed with osteoarthritis, Peanut was given METACAM to help relieve his pain. For Peanut, METACAM does double duty. It not only relieves his pain and inflammation, it offers a unique lower concentration developed just for little dogs like him. METACAM is also dispensed in a special syringe that's calibrated in small, 1-lb increments, giving Peanut's owners the peace of mind in knowing that they can tailor his dosage to match his specific body weight. As Peanut's owners know, great things come in very small portions.
1. Aragon CL, Hofmeister EH, Budsberg SC. Systematic review of clinical trials of treatments for osteoarthritis in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007;230:514-521. 2. METACAM Freedom of Information Summary, NADA 141-213.
