Metacam dog 1,5 mg/ml 180 ml

Metacam 1,5 mg/ml suspension provides relief of inflammation and pain to both acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders in dogs. The suspension can easily be administered with the attachment of the bottle (for small breeds) or with the included injection. The suspension may only be administered orally by mixing it with food or giving it directly into the mouth. Metacam for dogs is available in 10 ml, 32 ml, 100 ml and 180 ml.

180 ml Metacam 1,5 mg/ ml

Metacam oral suspension (meloxicam) is a once- a- day dosing for 24 hour relief from pain ans inflammation associated with opteoarthritis in dogs. Dosage and Administration: Always provide client information sheet with prescription. Carefully consider the potential benefits and risk of Metacam and other treatment options before deciding to use Metacam. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual response.

Metacam is a non- steroidal anti- inflammatory drug (NSAID) for dogs. For alleviation of inflammation and pain in both acute and chronic musculosketal disorders. Dosage and administration initial treatment is a single dose of 0,2 meloxicam/ kg bodyweight on the first day. Treatment is tob e continued once daily by oral administration (at 24- hour intervals) at a maintenance dose of 0,1 mg meloxicam/ kg bodyweight. For longer term treatment, once clinical response has been observed (after > 4 days), the dose of metacam can be adjusted to the lowest effective individual dose reflecting that the degree of pain and inflammation associated with chronic musculo- skeletal disorders may vary over time.  Particular care should be taken with regard to the accuracy of dosing. Shake well before use. To the administered orally either mixed with food or directly into the mouth. The suspension can be given using either the drop dispenser of the bottle (for very small breeds) or the metacam measuring syringe provided in the package. Dosing procedure using the drop dispenser of the bottle. Initial dose: 4 drops/ kg bodyweight. Maintenance dose: 2 drops/ kg bodyweight. Dosing procedure using the measuring syringe. The syringe fits onto the drop dispenser of the bottle and has a kg- bodyweight scale which corresponds to the maintenance dose (ie. O,1 mg meloxicam/ kg bodyweight). Thus for the first day of treatment, twice the maintenance volume will be required. Alternatively, treatment may be intiated with Metacam 5 mg/ ml solution for injection. A clinical response is usually seen within 3 – 4 days.

1. Shake bottle well. Push down and unscrew bottle top. Attach the dosing syringe to the bottle by gently pushing the end onto the top of the bottle.
2. Turn the bottle/ syringe upside down. Pull the plunger out until the black line on the plunger corresponds to the dog’s body weight in pounds.
3. Turn the bottle right way up and with a twisting moveent seperate the dosing syringe from the bottle.
4. Push the plunger to empty to contents of the syringe.

Treatment should be discontinued after 10 days at the latest if no clinical improvement is apparent. Avoid the introduction of contamination during use.

Contra- indications, warnings ect:

Do not use in pregnant or lactating animals, as the safety of the product has not been established in these categories of animals. Do not use in animals suffering from gastro- intestinal disorders such as an irritationand haemorrhage, impaired hepatic, cardiac or renal function ans haemorrhagic disorders. Do not use in case of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. Do not use in dogs less than 6 weeks of age. Typical adverse drug reactions of NSAIDs such as loss of appetite, vomiting diarrhoea, faecal occult blood, apathy and renal failure have occasionally been reported. These adverse reactions occur generally within the first treatment week amd are in most cases transient and disappear following termination of the treatment but in very rare cases may be serious or fatal. If adverse reactions occur, treatment should be discontinued and the advice of a veterinarian should be sought. Avoid use in any dehydrated, hypovolaemic or hypotensive animal, as there is a potential risk of renal toxicity. This product for dogs should not be used in cats as it is not suitable for use in this species. In cats, metacam  0,5 mg/ ml oral suspension for cats should be used. Other NSAID’s diuretics, anticoagulants, aminoglycoside antibiotics and substances with high protein binding may compete for binding and thus lead to toxic effects. Metacam must not be administered in conjuction with other NSAID’s or glucocorticosteroids.

Warnings: not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of reach of children. For oral use in dogs only. Do not use in cats.

Preacuations: The safe use of metacam Oral Suspension in dogs younger tham 6 months of age, dogs usede for breeding, or in pregnant or lacting dogs has not been evaluated. Meloxicam is not recommended for use in dogs with bleeding disorders, as safety has not been established in dogs with these disorders.

Information for dog owners:

Meloxicam, like other NSAID’s, is not free from adverse reactions. Owner should be advised of the potential  for adverse reactions and be informed of the clinical signs associated with NSAID intolerance. Adverse reactions may include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, decreased appetite and behavioral changes. Dog owners should contact their veterinarian immediately if possible adverse reactions are observed, and dog owners should be advised to discontinue Metacam therapy.
Pre- treatment with anti- inflammatory substances may result in additional or increased adverse effects and accordungly a treatment- free period with such drugs should be observed for at least 24 hours  before commencement treatment. The treatment- free period, however, should take into account the pharmacokinetic properties of the products used previously. In case of overdose, symptomatic treatment  should be intiated. User precautions individuals sensitive to NSAIDs  should avoid contact with the product in case of accidental self- administration, seek medical advice immediately and show the package insert or label to the Doctor. Any unused product or waste materials should be disposed or in accordance with national requirements for pharmaceutical products. For animal treatment only. Keep out of reach of children.

Pharmaceutical precautions; After first opening the bottle, use contents within 6 months and then discard any remaining unused product. Further information:

Meloxicam is a non- steroidal anti- inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the oxicam class which acts by inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, thereby exerting anti- inflammatory, analgestic, anti- exudative and antipyretic effects. It reduces leukocyte infiltration into the flamed tissue. To a minor extent it also inhibits collagen- induced thrombocyte aggregation. Meloxicam is completely absorbed following oral administration and maximal plasma concentrationsare obtained after approximately 4,5 hours. When the product is used according to the recommended dosage regime, steady state concentrations of meloxicam in plasma are reached on the second day of treatment.There is a linear relationship between the dose administered and plasma concentration observed in the therapeutic dose range. Approximately 97% of meloxicam is bound to plasma proteins. The volume of distribution is 0,3 l/kg. Meloxicam is predominantly founnd in plasma and is also a major villiary excretion product whereas urine contains only traces of the parent compound. Meloxicam is metabolised to an alcohol, an acid derivative and to several polar metabolites. All major metabolites have been shown tob e pharmacologically inactive. Meloxicam is eliminated with a half- life of 24 hours. Approximately 75% of the administered dose is eliminated via faeces and the remainder through urine.

Palatability: Dogs love the sweet honey flavor. Metacam Oral Suspension was accepted by 100% of the dogs when veterinarians administered the initial dose into the mouth. Metacam oral Suspension was accepted by 90% of the dogs (123/136) when administered by owners. Problems associated with administration included refusal of food, resistance to swallowing and salivation.

How supplied:

Metacam Oral Suspension 0,5 mg/ ml: 15 ml and 30 ml dropper bottle with measuring syringe.

Metacam oral Suspensiom 1,5 mg/ ml: 10, 32 and 100 ml dropper bottles with measuring syringe.

Storage: Store at controlled room temperature 59 – 86  ̊F (15 – 30  ̊C)