Metacam® Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats

Metacam is a veterinary nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine used to relieve pain and inflammation in dogs and cats. It is often given before or after surgery, or for musculoskeletal conditions. This page explains uses, dosing basics, safety, and how to get it for your pet.

What Metacam Is and How It Works

Metacam® contains meloxicam, an NSAID that inhibits cyclooxygenase enzymes to reduce prostaglandin production. That mechanism helps lower pain, swelling, and fever in animals. CanadianInsulin.com is a prescription referral platform. We verify prescriptions with your prescriber when required, and licensed Canadian pharmacies dispense your order. You can compare options for Metacam injection without insurance, with US delivery from Canada.

In practice, this medicine may be used as a single pre- or perioperative dose, or as part of a plan for osteoarthritis pain. It can be followed by oral therapy when appropriate. Your veterinarian determines the regimen based on species, procedure, and clinical status.

Who It’s For

This treatment is used in dogs and cats for control of postoperative pain and inflammation and for certain musculoskeletal conditions, including osteoarthritis. It can be appropriate for adult pets when an NSAID is indicated and benefits outweigh risks. Talk to your veterinarian about Canine Osteoarthritis and how NSAIDs fit into long-term management.

Use caution or avoid in animals with gastrointestinal ulcers, bleeding disorders, significant kidney or liver disease, or dehydration. It is generally avoided in pregnant or lactating animals unless a veterinarian judges it necessary. For post-surgery comfort in cats, your vet may choose an NSAID labeled for feline procedures; see guidance on Feline Postoperative Pain.

If your veterinarian recommends an NSAID, they may discuss options such as meloxicam or robenacoxib for cats, or carprofen for dogs. The choice depends on procedure, species, and prior response.

Some dogs are candidates for Meloxicam injection for dogs when a preoperative anti-inflammatory is needed. Cats may receive a single dose surrounding a procedure when it fits the labeled use and clinic protocol.

Dosage and Usage

The injection is administered by a veterinarian, usually as a single subcutaneous dose before or around surgery. For chronic conditions, the clinic may give an initial injectable dose followed by an oral suspension as directed. Never combine with another NSAID unless your veterinarian instructs otherwise.

Ask your veterinarian about Metacam injection dosage for your pet’s species and indication. Dosing depends on body weight, overall health, and procedure. Your clinic will monitor response and determine if additional oral treatment is appropriate.

Administration tips at the clinic include proper aseptic technique, correct needle size, and careful site selection. If your pet is transitioning to oral therapy, dosing tools like syringes for suspensions help maintain accuracy. Consistent scheduling supports steady control of discomfort.

Strengths and Forms

The injectable product is commonly supplied as a Meloxicam 5 mg/ml injection in vials intended for clinic use. Availability and vial size may vary by supplier.

Your veterinarian may follow the injection with oral meloxicam in dogs or cats when appropriate. If that is recommended, see our oral options for species-specific formulations such as Oral Suspension for Dogs and Oral Suspension for Cats. Not all strengths or pack sizes are always in stock.

Missed Dose and Timing

This injection is typically administered at the clinic. If a scheduled preoperative dose was not given, contact your veterinarian to determine whether rescheduling or an alternative plan is needed. Do not self-inject unless your veterinarian has specifically trained and instructed you to do so.

When transitioning to oral therapy at home, take care not to double up if a dose is missed. If you are unsure what to do, consult the clinic before giving more medicine.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store the vial as directed on the label, protected from excessive heat and light, and keep it out of reach of children and animals. Do not use the product past its expiration date. Once punctured, your veterinarian will follow clinic policies on in-use dating and sterility.

If you need to transport a vial home under veterinary guidance, keep it in its original packaging and avoid freezing. When traveling with your pet, carry a copy of the prescription and clinic contact information. For broader pet supply planning, you can review options in Pet Medications.

Pen Handling and Sharps Disposal

This product is not a pen device. If your clinic provides a dose to be administered at home, use a new sterile needle and syringe for each injection if directed. Do not recap used needles.

Dispose of needles, syringes, and any used sharps in an approved container. Follow local regulations or return the container to your veterinary clinic for safe disposal.

Benefits

As an NSAID, the treatment helps reduce pain and inflammation around surgical procedures and with certain joint issues. A clinic-administered dose supports controlled timing before or after surgery. When appropriate, it can bridge to oral therapy for continuity of care.

For some pets, a single injection reduces the need for additional medications on the procedure day. The option to transition to oral therapy gives flexibility for ongoing management as advised by the veterinarian. Many owners find clinic dosing convenient when home administration is difficult.

Some clinics prefer Metacam injectable solution because it allows precise weight-based dosing under veterinary supervision. Your veterinarian will consider your pet’s medical history before recommending this option.

Side Effects and Safety

• Digestive upset: vomiting, soft stool, or diarrhea
• Reduced appetite or lethargy after a dose
• Injection site discomfort or swelling
• Increased thirst or urination in some pets

Serious risks are uncommon but can include gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, kidney complications, or liver effects. Stop treatment and seek veterinary advice if you notice black stool, persistent vomiting, severe lethargy, jaundice, or signs of bleeding. Pets with dehydration or preexisting kidney or liver disease may be at higher risk and require careful monitoring.

Never give two NSAIDs together unless your veterinarian advises a washout and specific plan. Avoid combining with corticosteroids such as prednisone unless directed and supervised by a clinician.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Potential interactions include other NSAIDs, corticosteroids, anticoagulants, certain diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and nephrotoxic drugs. Combining these therapies can increase the risk of gastrointestinal or renal adverse effects. Discuss all medicines, supplements, and recent treatments with your veterinarian.

Use caution in geriatric animals or those with low blood pressure, dehydration, or underlying organ disease. Baseline bloodwork and periodic monitoring may be recommended during longer courses of NSAID therapy. If your pet needs a different NSAID, your veterinarian might discuss alternatives like Previcox, Rimadyl Chewables, or Deramaxx.

What to Expect Over Time

After clinic administration, your pet may appear more comfortable as inflammation is controlled. Some pets transition to oral maintenance if longer support is needed. Your veterinarian will guide activity, rechecks, and any adjunctive therapies like joint support or physical rehabilitation.

Keep a simple log of your pet’s comfort, appetite, and mobility during recovery. Share observations with the clinic so they can adjust the plan safely. If discomfort returns or worsens, contact the veterinarian rather than adding additional pain relievers on your own.

Compare With Alternatives

Veterinarians may consider other approved NSAIDs in certain cases. For dogs, carprofen injection is a common option; see Rimadyl Injectable for details. For feline postoperative pain, robenacoxib is an alternative; review Onsior Solution where appropriate. Selection depends on species, procedure, medical history, and clinic protocol.

Pricing and Access

Many pet owners ask about Metacam injection price and how Canadian pharmacy options compare. We display current pricing transparently so you can review choices. Orders are fulfilled by licensed pharmacies with US shipping from Canada.

Savings vary by product and formulation. If you are looking for periodic offers, check our Promotions page for current updates. For broader reading on NSAIDs and arthritis care, see our article on Arthritis in Pets.

Availability and Substitutions

Stock can vary. If the injection is unavailable, a prescriber may suggest an alternative NSAID or a temporary switch to oral meloxicam. The clinic will determine if a different strength, form, or agent is appropriate for your pet’s situation.

For feline-specific guidance, you may also explore Onsior for Cats. For canine cases, some veterinarians discuss robenacoxib or other NSAID classes; see Onsior for Dogs for a species-tailored option. Educational background on other NSAIDs is available in Deramaxx for Dogs and Onsior Cat Medicine.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Pets who may benefit include those undergoing surgery who need controlled perioperative analgesia, and animals with inflammatory joint conditions where an NSAID is appropriate. It may not suit pets with active gastrointestinal disease, uncontrolled kidney or liver issues, or animals receiving conflicting therapies.

To reduce clinic visits, ask about coordinating multi-month oral supplies when transitioning from an injection to maintenance. Set refill reminders in your calendar so you do not run out before a planned recheck. Review categories like Canine Musculoskeletal Pain for condition-focused planning.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Is an NSAID appropriate for my pet given their health history?
• What monitoring do you recommend during recovery?
• How should I transition from clinic dosing to any oral plan?
• Which signs mean I should stop and call the clinic?
• Are there medicines or supplements I should avoid?
• Can we discuss non-drug supports like diet or rehab?

Authoritative Sources

For the official veterinary product information, see the manufacturer’s page at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. For Canadian regulatory listings, consult Health Canada’s database entry for meloxicam veterinary products at Drug Product Database. For additional regulatory context, review FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine resources at FDA Animal & Veterinary.

Order when ready and choose prompt, express shipping with temperature-controlled handling when required. Medical disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.