Meloxicam side effects in dogs: What to watch for

In this article:

• Common side effects
• Serious side effects
• How long do meloxicam side effects last for dogs?
• Is meloxicam safe for dogs?

In this article

• Common side effects
• Serious side effects
• How long do meloxicam side effects last for dogs?
• Is meloxicam safe for dogs?

Meloxicam is a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The FDA has approved meloxicam for dogs to control pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. Veterinarians also use it off-label to provide pain relief for other conditions, including postoperative pain and acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain. Like other NSAIDs, meloxicam can cause side effects in dogs, some of which can be serious. Pet owners should be aware of potential side effects and their signs and contact a veterinarian if they occur.

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 meloxicam side effects in dogs can include the following:

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

Common side effects

Gastrointestinal upset

The most common side effects of meloxicam in dogs involve the digestive system.

Dr. Bonk explains that oral meloxicam can cause digestive problems, including vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased or loss of appetite. Meloxicam is a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor. While inhibiting COX helps reduce pain and inflammation, it can also affect other body functions, including those that help protect the stomach lining.

“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).

“Long-term use or high doses of meloxicam can damage the stomach lining, leading to ulcers,” according to Mat Glassman, MBA, VMD, DACVS, a veterinary surgeon and founder of Dr. Cuddles in Bethesda, Maryland. “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

Meloxicam is broken down by the liver. If a dog has underlying liver disease, the addition of this medication could overwhelm the liver and push the liver into a state of insufficiency or failure. For this reason, blood testing to monitor liver enzymes is usually recommended when dogs are on meloxicam for an extended period of time. Rarely, dogs can have a reaction to meloxicam, causing liver failure known as an idiosyncratic reaction, but this is very rare.

Dr. Glassman notes 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 also cause liver damage.

If you believe your dog is experiencing adverse effects from meloxicam, stop administering the 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 how long meloxicam side effects last in dogs depends on the type and severity of the side effect.

“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 generally safe for dogs when given as prescribed by a veterinarian. Pet owners can help reduce the risk of side effects by giving the correct dose according to the prescribed dosing schedule.

Meloxicam can also have drug interactions with certain medications.

NSAIDs and corticosteroids

Meloxicam should not be given with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids unless directed by a veterinarian. Combining these medications can increase the risk of serious gastrointestinal side effects, including ulcers.

“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 anti-inflammatory drugs that may be used to treat conditions involving inflammation, including some types of arthritis in dogs. “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 therapeutic 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 in people taking oral anticoagulants has also found that NSAID use may increase the risk of bleeding.

Be sure to tell your veterinarian about any medications or supplements, including vitamins, minerals, and herbs, your dog takes.

Meloxicam warnings

Meloxicam may not be appropriate for every dog. Talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog 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
• Have had an allergic reaction to meloxicam or other NSAIDs
• Have ulcers or a history of ulcers
• Have a pre-existing heart condition
• Are older, weak, or frail
• Have a bleeding disorder

Meloxicam overdose

Dogs can experience a meloxicam overdose if they receive too much of the medication. Signs and symptoms of meloxicam toxicity may include:

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

These symptoms may occur within an hour of ingesting too much meloxicam. More severe toxicity, including gastrointestinal perforation or kidney failure, may not develop for 48 to 72 hours. Weakness, involuntary muscle movements, and seizures can also indicate severe meloxicam toxicity.

Giving your dog meloxicam exactly as prescribed can help prevent an overdose.

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

Dogs taking meloxicam, particularly long-term, may need regular veterinary checkups and blood tests to monitor for side effects. “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.