A comprehensive, data-driven analysis of meloxicam (Metacam) side effects in dogs and cats, detailing the FDA boxed warning, renal and hepatic risks, and 17,184 adverse event reports.

Meloxicam—widely recognized by its brand name Metacam, but also distributed under generic names such as Meloxidyl, Loxicom, and various generic formulations—is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the oxicam class. Prescribed globally to manage pain and inflammation in veterinary medicine, meloxicam is a primary tool for treating canine osteoarthritis (OA) and managing post-operative pain. (For a general guide on its clinical indications and dosing concepts, see our meloxicam (Metacam) for dogs page; this article serves as the data-anchored safety and adverse-event companion.)

While meloxicam is highly effective at restoring mobility and comfort to arthritic dogs and providing acute post-surgical analgesia, its systemic administration carries inherent physiological risks. Because of its massive usage, it is the second-most-reported veterinary NSAID in the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) database, trailing only carprofen. Furthermore, meloxicam carries a unique regulatory distinction: a prominent FDA boxed warning regarding its safety in cats.

This guide provides a detailed, evidence-based breakdown of meloxicam side effects in both dogs and cats. We examine the drug’s pharmacological mechanism of action, analyze 17,184 deduplicated adverse-event reports from the FDA database, explain the clinical reality behind the feline boxed warning, isolate patient risk factors, and define the monitoring protocols and emergency warning signs that veterinary professionals and pet owners must understand.

What is meloxicam (Metacam) and what is it approved for in dogs versus cats?

Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug belonging to the oxicam group of compounds, which also includes piroxicam and tenoxicam. It works by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme, thereby blocking the synthesis of prostaglandins—the chemical messengers that drive pain, inflammation, and fever.

The Mechanism: COX-2 Preference

The cyclooxygenase enzyme exists in two main isoforms:

COX-1 (Constitutive): Present throughout the body under normal conditions, COX-1 produces prostaglandins that perform essential homeostatic functions. These include maintaining mucosal blood flow and cytoprotection in the stomach and duodenum, supporting renal perfusion (especially during periods of low blood pressure or dehydration), and regulating blood platelet function.
COX-2 (Inducible): Upregulated during tissue injury, cell damage, and inflammatory cascades. Prostagendins generated by COX-2 drive the localized pain, vasodilation, swelling, and hyperalgesia associated with arthritic joints or surgical incisions.

Traditional NSAIDs (like aspirin or human ibuprofen) inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2 non-selectively, resulting in high rates of gastric ulceration and kidney damage because the protective COX-1 pathway is suppressed alongside the inflammatory COX-2 pathway.

Meloxicam is classified as a COX-2 preferential NSAID in dogs. At recommended clinical doses, it shows a strong preference for inhibiting the inducible COX-2 enzyme while sparing the constitutive COX-1 enzyme to a greater degree. This preferential profile provides potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic efficacy while offering a wider margin of gastrointestinal and renal safety than older, non-selective compounds. However, because it is preferential rather than strictly selective, some COX-1 inhibition still occurs, particularly at higher doses or in patients with underlying risk factors.

The Regulatory Divide: Dogs vs. Cats

The FDA approvals for meloxicam differ significantly between dogs and cats, establishing a strict safety line that must never be crossed:

In Dogs: Meloxicam is FDA-approved for oral use (Metacam Oral Suspension, NADA 141-213, approved April 15, 2003) and injectable use (Metacam 5 mg/mL Solution for Injection, NADA 141-219, approved for dogs November 12, 2003). It is indicated for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, as well as the control of post-operative pain and inflammation associated with orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries.
In Cats: Meloxicam is approved only as a single, one-time subcutaneous injection (the feline post-operative indication was added to NADA 141-219 on October 28, 2004) at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg (0.14 mg/lb) body weight, administered prior to surgery (such as ovariohysterectomy or castration) for the control of post-operative pain. No oral formulation of meloxicam is FDA-approved for cats, and repeated injectable or oral dosing is contraindicated.

This species-specific restriction is a fundamental safety boundary. Feline liver physiology is uniquely sensitive to NSAIDs, and repeated administration rapidly leads to severe, acute organ damage.

What are the most common meloxicam side effects in dogs, and when do they show up?

For the vast majority of dogs, meloxicam is well-tolerated. However, when side effects occur, they typically manifest early in the course of treatment, often within the first 1 to 3 weeks of starting the drug.

Gastrointestinal Irritation: The Primary Concern

Because meloxicam still exerts minor COX-1 inhibition and systemically reduces prostaglandin levels, the gastrointestinal tract is the most common site of adverse reactions. Prostaglandins are required to maintain the protective mucus-bicarbonate barrier of the stomach lining, promote local blood flow to the mucosal cells, and regulate gastric acid secretion. When these protective mechanisms are dampened:

Mild/Common Signs: Occasional vomiting, diarrhea, soft stools, or a transient decrease in appetite (anorexia). If these signs occur, the medication must be discontinued immediately, and a veterinarian consulted.
Severe/Emergency Signs:
- Hematemesis: Vomiting blood (which may appear as bright red flecks or look like dark "coffee grounds" representing partially digested blood).
- Melena: Black, tarry, foul-smelling stools, indicating bleeding in the stomach or upper small intestine.
- Hematochezia: Bright red blood in the stool, indicating lower intestinal inflammation or ulceration.
- Severe Abdominal Pain: The dog may assume a "stretching" or "play bow" posture (forelegs flat on the ground, rear end raised), whine when handled, or exhibit a tense, guarded abdomen.
- Hypovolemic Shock: Pale or white gums, a rapid heart rate, cold extremities, and collapse—signs that a gastric ulcer has perforated, causing life-threatening peritonitis and internal hemorrhage.

Any sign of gastrointestinal bleeding or severe pain is a clinical emergency. The drug must be stopped, and the dog taken to an emergency hospital.

Why does meloxicam carry an FDA boxed warning for cats, and what does 'single dose only' mean?

In 2010, the FDA requested that Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (and subsequent generic manufacturers) add a prominent boxed warning to all meloxicam labels. This warning was a direct response to a high volume of post-marketing adverse-event reports indicating that repeated extra-label use of oral and injectable meloxicam in cats resulted in severe organ damage and death.

The FDA Boxed Warning Text

The warning on the product label states:

WARNING: REPEATED USE OF MELOXICAM IN CATS HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH ACUTE RENAL FAILURE AND DEATH. DO NOT ADMINISTER ADDITIONAL INJECTABLE OR ORAL MELOXICAM TO CATS.

The FDA added this warning based on a thorough review of reported adverse drug events. It is a legally binding safety mandate.

The Feline Metabolism Bottleneck

Why are cats so vulnerable to meloxicam? The answer lies in hepatic clearance pathways. Cats have a genetic deficiency in glucuronyltransferase, the family of liver enzymes responsible for glucuronide conjugation. Glucuronidation is the primary pathway used by most mammals to metabolize and eliminate NSAIDs and many other drugs.

Because cats cannot perform this conjugation efficiently, meloxicam is metabolized extremely slowly. While the elimination half-life of meloxicam in dogs is approximately 12 to 24 hours, it can be significantly prolonged in cats, particularly with repeated dosing. When multiple doses are administered, the drug rapidly accumulates in the cat’s bloodstream, reaching toxic concentrations.

This toxic accumulation causes:

Severe Renal Vasoconstriction: Blocking renal prostaglandins leads to profound ischemia in the kidney's functional units, resulting in acute kidney injury (AKI).
Gastric Perforation: Complete suppression of protective prostaglandins causes rapid erosion and perforation of the stomach lining.

The "Single Dose Only" Rule

The only safe, approved use of meloxicam in cats is a single, one-time subcutaneous injection prior to surgery. This single dose (0.3 mg/kg) provides reliable post-operative pain control for up to 24 hours. Because it is a single exposure, the cat’s body has time to slowly clear the drug without the risk of cumulative toxicity.

Under no circumstances should oral meloxicam (oral suspension or tablets) be administered to cats, and a cat should never receive a second dose of injectable meloxicam. If a cat requires continued post-operative pain relief, the veterinarian must transition to a different class of medication or a cat-approved selective NSAID, such as robenacoxib (Onsior) for dogs and cats.

Does meloxicam affect the kidneys and liver, and which patients are at higher risk?

Beyond the stomach, the kidneys and liver are the primary organs vulnerable to NSAID-induced toxicity.

Renal Vasoconstriction and Acute Kidney Injury

In healthy, well-hydrated dogs and cats, prostaglandins play a minimal role in maintaining renal function. However, during periods of decreased blood volume, hypotension, dehydration, or pre-existing kidney compromise, the kidneys rely heavily on vasodilatory prostaglandins (PGE2 and PGI2) to maintain adequate renal blood flow and a stable glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

When meloxicam is administered, it blocks these renal prostaglandins. If the patient is dehydrated, hypotensive, or has compromised kidneys, this blockade prevents essential vasodilation. The resulting vasoconstriction leads to severe renal hypoxia, tubular necrosis, and acute kidney injury (AKI).

Hepatic Injury: Idiosyncratic Hepatopathy

Unlike renal vasoconstriction, which is a predictable, dose-dependent extension of the drug's pharmacology, NSAID-induced liver injury is primarily idiosyncratic.

Idiosyncratic hepatopathy is rare (estimated at roughly 1 in 5,000 dogs), unpredictable, and not related to the dose given. It is believed to be an immune-mediated hypersensitivity reaction. The liver metabolizes meloxicam into reactive intermediates that bind to hepatic proteins, forming "neoantigens." In a genetically predisposed dog, the immune system recognizes these altered proteins as foreign and attacks the hepatocytes, causing severe liver necrosis.

High-Risk Patient Profiles

Several factors significantly increase the risk of kidney or liver damage from meloxicam:

Dehydration and Hypotension: Dogs that are dehydrated from vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy exertion, or those undergoing general anesthesia (which frequently causes low blood pressure).
Pre-existing Kidney Disease: Arthritic dogs are often seniors, and many have subclinical canine chronic kidney disease. They have fewer functioning nephrons and are highly susceptible to NSAID perfusion deficits.
Pre-existing Liver Insufficiency: Dogs with compromised liver function may have impaired drug clearance, leading to accumulation and increased risk of toxic events.
Hypoalbuminemia: Meloxicam is highly protein-bound (greater than 99%). In dogs with low blood albumin (e.g., from protein-losing enteropathy or kidney disease), there is a higher concentration of free, active drug in the circulation, increasing toxicity risks.
Concurrent Nephrotoxic Drugs: Combining meloxicam with other drugs that stress the kidneys, such as aminoglycoside antibiotics (gentamicin, amikacin).

What do 17,184 FDA adverse-event reports actually show about meloxicam risk?

To understand the real-world safety profile of meloxicam, we analyzed the FDA/CVM openFDA animal adverse-event database using the local snapshot dated July 5, 2026.

By filtering the 1.36 million records for reports where drug_active_ingredients contains "meloxicam" and deduplicating by their unique adverse-event report number (unique_aer_id_number), we identified 17,184 unique reports naming meloxicam. (The FDA's raw ingredient index lists 17,042 reports, with the minor variance representing spelling differences and multi-ingredient drug combinations deduplicated in our analysis.)

[!IMPORTANT] Understanding Spontaneous Reporting Limitations When reviewing these numbers, it is critical to remember that spontaneous adverse-event reports represent reporting volume, not clinical incidence. These reports are voluntarily submitted by vets and owners (or forwarded by manufacturers) and do not represent a controlled study. They cannot prove direct causality in every case, nor do they record the denominator of how many millions of animals took meloxicam safely. Furthermore, meloxicam is one of the most frequently prescribed drugs in veterinary medicine; its high report volume is a reflection of its popularity, not necessarily intrinsic danger. These numbers identify patterns of safety risks, not the absolute probability of a side effect occurring.

Species and Outcome Distribution

The species distribution in the 17,184 reports highlights the dual-audience nature of the drug and the impact of the feline safety issue:

Dogs: 8,013 reports (46.6% of the dataset)
Unspecified Species: 5,188 reports (primarily files where the species field was left blank)
Cats: 3,625 reports (21.1% of the dataset)
Humans: 163 reports (primarily accidental exposures, such as a child swallowing liquid medication or an owner self-administering the drug)
Rabbits: 78 reports (reflecting off-label use in exotic companion mammal medicine)
Other Species: a small number of reports in cattle (14), guinea pigs (13), and birds (20)

The outcomes recorded across the entire dataset demonstrate the potential severity of NSAID toxicity:

Recovered/Normal: 1,812 reports
Died: 1,732 reports
Outcome Unknown/Not Provided: 1,536 reports
Ongoing (still resolving or being treated): 1,314 reports
Euthanized: 478 reports
Recovered with Sequelae: 84 reports

The Feline Mortality Signal

A highly distinctive finding in the data is the outcome distribution within the Cat-only subset (3,625 reports). This subset contains:

Died: 730 reports
Euthanized: 133 reports
Recovered/Normal: 329 reports
Ongoing: 361 reports
Outcome Unknown: 337 reports
Recovered with Sequelae: 14 reports

Combined, death and euthanasia represent 863 reports in cats—nearly 24% of all feline meloxicam reports. This high proportion is the statistical footprint of the renal failure and death signal that prompted the FDA boxed warning. It underscores the critical importance of keeping oral and repeated meloxicam away from cats.

The Reaction Spectrum

An analysis of the specific clinical signs (reactions) recorded across the 17,184 reports reveals a clear organ-system signature, dominated by gastrointestinal and renal signs:

Clinical Reaction (All Species)	FDA Report Count	Organ System / Category
Vomiting	3,082	Gastrointestinal
Anorexia (Appetite Loss)	2,582	Gastrointestinal / Systemic
Elevated BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)	1,911	Renal (Kidney)
Elevated Creatinine	1,794	Renal (Kidney)
Vials, Leaking	1,709	Product Quality (Defect)
Depression	1,681	Systemic
Diarrhea	1,278	Gastrointestinal
Death	1,104	Outcome
Death by Euthanasia	1,053	Outcome
Renal Failure	907	Renal (Kidney)
Lethargy	872	Systemic
Hyperphosphatemia	867	Renal (Kidney)
Azotemia	653	Renal (Kidney)
Elevated ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)	631	Hepatic (Liver)

Feline-Specific Reaction Spectrum

When we isolate the reactions within the Cat-only subset (3,625 reports), the renal signal is even more pronounced:

Anorexia: 1,300 reports
Elevated Creatinine: 1,253 reports
Elevated BUN: 1,219 reports
Vomiting: 1,006 reports
Depression: 896 reports
Renal Failure: 752 reports
Hyperphosphatemia: 560 reports
Azotemia: 509 reports
Death by Euthanasia: 432 reports
Death: 420 reports

This list shows that kidney values (creatinine, BUN, phosphorus, azotemia, renal failure) are the dominant reactions in cats, verifying that the primary manifestation of meloxicam toxicity in felines is acute kidney injury.

A Critical Data-Hygiene Note: Product Quality Reports

An important pattern in the dataset is the presence of "Vials, Leaking" (1,709 reports) as the fifth-most common reaction. This represents product-quality reports rather than physiological drug reactions. In many cases, these reports involve containers that leaked during transit or storage and did not involve animal exposure. Excluding these product-defect records is essential when evaluating the purely clinical risk of the medication.

How is a dog monitored on long-term meloxicam, and when should you stop and call the vet?

To maximize safety, a structured monitoring protocol is standard clinical practice for any dog prescribed long-term meloxicam.

The Clinical Monitoring Workflow

A standard monitoring cadence consists of three phases:

[Baseline Bloodwork] ➔ [Initiate Meloxicam] ➔ [2-to-4 Week Re-check] ➔ [6-Month Maintenance Re-checks]

Pre-Treatment Baseline: A complete chemistry panel (evaluating ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, BUN, creatinine, and albumin) and a Complete Blood Count (CBC). This establishes the patient’s starting values and flags subclinical kidney or liver compromise.
The 2-to-4 Week Re-check: Because idiosyncratic liver injuries and early renal adjustments typically occur within the first month, a follow-up blood panel is performed 2 to 4 weeks after starting the drug. This catches subclinical enzyme elevations before the dog shows physical signs of illness.
Long-Term Re-checks: For dogs on continuous therapy, chemistry panels should be repeated every 6 months (or every 3 to 4 months for senior dogs, geriatric patients, or those with borderline baseline values).

When to Stop and Call the Vet

Pet owners must monitor their dogs daily. The drug should be stopped immediately, and a veterinarian contacted, if any of the following are observed:

Refusal to eat or a significant decrease in appetite for more than 24 hours.
Any vomiting, particularly if it occurs multiple times or contains blood (red flecks or coffee-ground material).
Soft stools, diarrhea, or melena (black, tarry stools).
Yellowing of the whites of the eyes, gums, or skin (jaundice/icterus).
A sudden change in drinking or urinating habits (drinking significantly more water or urinating more frequently).
Lethargy, depression, or a general lack of energy.
Incoordination, weakness in the hind legs, or seizures.

How does meloxicam compare to carprofen, robenacoxib (Onsior), and grapiprant?

Veterinarians have several pharmacological options when managing arthritis or surgical pain. Understanding the tradeoffs helps guide the clinical decision:

Meloxicam vs. Carprofen (Rimadyl)

Both are COX-2 preferential NSAIDs with similar efficacy profiles.

Formulation Advantage: Carprofen is typically administered as a chewable tablet or caplet, while meloxicam is widely used as an oral liquid suspension. The liquid formulation of meloxicam allows for highly precise dosing, as it can be titrated drop-by-drop based on the dog’s exact body weight. This makes meloxicam particularly useful for small dogs, where splitting tablets could lead to under- or over-dosing.
Species Difference: Carprofen is strictly dog-only. Meloxicam has a feline approval, but only for a single, pre-surgical injection under strict label limits.
Comparison page: You can learn more about Zoetis's alternative in our carprofen (Rimadyl) side effects in dogs — FDA data report, which shows different breed sensitivities and reporting patterns.

Meloxicam vs. Robenacoxib (Onsior)

Robenacoxib is a COX-2 selective NSAID, meaning it exerts a significantly higher degree of selectivity for COX-2 over COX-1 than preferential drugs like meloxicam.

Feline Safety: Robenacoxib (Onsior) is FDA-approved for oral and injectable use in cats for up to 3 consecutive days. Because of its high selectivity and rapid clearance from the bloodstream (while persisting at the site of inflammation), Onsior has a much safer renal profile in cats than meloxicam. It has largely replaced extra-label meloxicam use for short-term feline pain management. Refer to our guide on robenacoxib (Onsior) for dogs and cats for more information.
Duration: Meloxicam is indicated for long-term chronic use in dogs; Onsior is labeled for short-term use (up to 3 days in cats, 3 days in dogs).

Meloxicam vs. Grapiprant (Galliprant)

Grapiprant represents a different class of anti-inflammatory drug. It is a non-coxib, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.

Mechanism: Instead of inhibiting the COX enzyme and blocking prostaglandin production, grapiprant acts as a selective antagonist at the EP4 receptor—the specific prostaglandin receptor that mediates osteoarthritis pain.
Safety Margin: Because it does not block prostaglandin synthesis, grapiprant does not interfere with the protective COX-1 and COX-2 homeostatic functions. It has a significantly lower risk of causing gastrointestinal ulcers or kidney injury. Grapiprant is an excellent alternative for dogs with early kidney changes or those that cannot tolerate standard NSAIDs like meloxicam.
Efficacy: Some dogs with severe, acute inflammatory pain may find standard NSAIDs like meloxicam more effective than grapiprant.

Meloxicam vs. Librela (Bedinvetmab)

For chronic osteoarthritis, Librela (bedinvetmab) has transformed canine pain management. Librela is a monthly injectable monoclonal antibody that targets Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a key driver of osteoarthritic pain.

Targeted Action: Librela is not an NSAID. It does not inhibit COX or prostaglandins, and it is cleared by normal protein catabolic pathways rather than the liver and kidneys.
Renal/Hepatic Safety: Librela does not cause GI ulceration, renal vasoconstriction, or liver damage. It can be used safely in dogs with advanced kidney or liver disease where NSAIDs like meloxicam are strictly contraindicated.
Limitation: Librela is not indicated for acute post-operative pain or soft-tissue inflammation; meloxicam remains a primary choice for surgical recovery.

Medication	Class / Mechanism	Form & Route	Liver/Kidney Risk	GI Ulcer Risk	Primary Best Use
Meloxicam	COX-2 Preferential NSAID	Oral liquid (Daily); Injection	Moderate (Requires monitoring)	Moderate	Chronic osteoarthritis in dogs (precise dosing); post-op pain
Carprofen	COX-2 Preferential NSAID	Oral tablets/caplets (Daily); Injection	Moderate (Labrador sensitivity)	Moderate	Post-op pain; chronic osteoarthritis in medium/large dogs
Robenacoxib	COX-2 Selective NSAID	Oral tablet (Daily up to 3d); Injection	Low (Short-term)	Low	Post-op pain in cats (up to 3 days) and dogs
Grapiprant	EP4 Receptor Antagonist	Oral tablet (Daily)	Very Low	Low	Osteoarthritis in dogs with early kidney/GI sensitivity
Librela	Anti-NGF Monoclonal Antibody	Subcutaneous Injection (Monthly)	None	None	Long-term osteoarthritis pain control in dogs of all ages

The Drug-Interaction Washout Rule

A major cause of severe NSAID toxicity is the concurrent administration of contraindicated medications. Meloxicam must never be given alongside:

Any Corticosteroid (e.g., prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone). Mixing steroids and NSAIDs causes a rapid, synergistic depletion of gastrointestinal prostaglandins, leading to severe ulcers and gastric perforation.
Any other NSAID (e.g., carprofen, firocoxib, deracoxib, aspirin). This increases the risk of side effects without adding therapeutic benefit. For a comparative overview of NSAID side effects across this class, refer to our analysis of veterinary NSAID adverse-event data across the class.
Diuretics and ACE Inhibitors: Combining meloxicam with drugs like furosemide and enalapril can cause a severe reduction in renal perfusion, triggering acute kidney failure.

Mandatory Washout Periods

If a dog is being transitioned between these medications, a washout period is required to allow the first drug to clear the system and local prostaglandin pathways to recover:

Switching from Corticosteroids to Meloxicam: A washout period of 5 to 7 days is standard. For long-acting steroid injections (such as Depo-Medrol), the washout must be extended to 3 to 4 weeks.
Switching from another NSAID to Meloxicam: A washout period of 3 to 5 days is standard practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is meloxicam safe for long-term use in dogs with arthritis?

Yes, meloxicam can be used safely for long-term arthritis management under veterinary supervision. This requires baseline bloodwork before starting, a re-check at 2 to 4 weeks, and periodic blood panels every 6 months to monitor liver and kidney function. Using the lowest effective dose minimizes long-term risks.

Can I give my cat the dog Metacam oral suspension?

No. Oral Metacam is approved for dogs only. Cats are highly sensitive to meloxicam due to a liver enzyme deficiency, and repeated oral dosing causes acute kidney failure and death. Never give a cat oral meloxicam.

Why does the Metacam label say 'single dose only' for cats?

The single-dose injectable label is based on the fact that a single exposure before surgery provides effective pain relief without accumulating to toxic levels. Repeated doses lead to accumulation in the bloodstream, resulting in severe kidney damage and death.

Does meloxicam require bloodwork monitoring, and how often?

Yes. Baseline bloodwork is required prior to starting the drug. A re-check panel is recommended 2 to 4 weeks after initiating therapy, followed by monitoring every 6 months for dogs on long-term treatment.

What is the difference between Metacam, Meloxidyl, and Loxicom?

They contain the exact same active ingredient: meloxicam. Metacam is the original brand-name drug developed by Boehringer Ingelheim. Meloxidyl and Loxicom are generic formulations. They are bioequivalent, carry the same safety and efficacy profiles, and are approved by the FDA under equivalent bioequivalence standards.

Sources

FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine: Metacam (meloxicam) Oral Suspension Label (NADA 141-213, approved April 15, 2003). Retrieved from: https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/document/downloadLabeling/820
DailyMed / FDA National Library of Medicine: Metacam (meloxicam) 5 mg/mL Solution for Injection Label (NADA 141-219, dogs approved November 12, 2003; cat single-dose indication added October 28, 2004). Retrieved from: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ca78caf5-2b47-46c1-abec-0f925b39f455
FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine: Information About the Boxed Warning on Meloxicam Labels Regarding Safety Risks in Cats. Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/product-safety-information/information-about-boxed-warning-meloxicam-labels-regarding-safety-risks-cats
FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine / openFDA: Animal & Veterinary Adverse Event API Dataset. Retrieved from: https://api.fda.gov/animalandveterinary/event.json
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA): 2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Retrieved from: https://www.aaha.org/for-veterinary-professionals/aaha-guidelines/2022-aaha-pain-management-guidelines/
NCBI PubMed / Australian Veterinary Journal: Wun MK, et al. Acute kidney injury in 18 cats after subcutaneous meloxicam (Aust Vet J 2023;101(3):90-98). Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36470590/

Meloxicam (Metacam) Side Effects in Dogs and Cats: What 17,184 FDA Reports Show