Metacam

What Is Metacam? 

Metacam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in veterinary medicine to relieve pain, inflammation, and fever in dogs and cats. Its active ingredient is meloxicam, which works by selectively blocking COX-2 enzymes — the enzymes responsible for triggering inflammation — while largely sparing COX-1 enzymes, which help protect the stomach lining.

It is one of the most widely used veterinary medicines in the UK, prescribed for everything from post-operative pain relief to long-term management of osteoarthritis.

Metacam is a POM-V (Prescription Only Medicine — Veterinarian) in the UK. It can only be prescribed by a registered vet and dispensed by a vet or a VMD-authorised veterinary pharmacy against a valid written prescription.

What Metacam Is Used For

Vets prescribe Metacam to ease both long-term and short-term pain. In chronic conditions such as arthritis, it's given once daily to keep a steady level of relief, while in acute cases — after an injury or an operation — it brings down pain and swelling so your pet can recover. Because it's dosed by body weight, the amount is tailored to each animal by your vet.

Metacam vs Meloxicam — What's the Difference?

They are the same drug. Metacam is simply the brand name for meloxicam manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim. Generic equivalents — such as Loxicom, Meloxidyl, and Rheumocam — contain the same active ingredient at the same concentrations. If your vet prescribes "meloxicam oral suspension 1.5 mg/ml for dogs," you can fill that prescription with Metacam or a licensed generic; both are bioequivalent and VMD-approved for use in the UK.

How Long Does Metacam Take to Work?

Metacam typically begins to relieve pain within 1–2 hours of administration. For acute conditions — such as post-operative discomfort or a sudden injury — many owners notice an improvement in their pet's comfort and mobility the same day.

For chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, a consistent improvement in mobility and behaviour is usually noticeable after 3–4 days of regular once-daily dosing, once steady-state plasma concentrations are reached (typically achieved on day 2 of treatment).

If you see no improvement after 7 days, contact your vet — it may be necessary to reassess the diagnosis or adjust the treatment plan.

Dogs vs Cats — Quick Comparison

Dogs and cats metabolise meloxicam very differently, which is why Metacam is available in different concentrations, forms, and dose schedules for each species. Using the wrong product in the wrong species is a serious clinical risk.

⚠ Never Give a Cat the Dog-Strength Suspension

The dog formulation (1.5 mg/ml) is three times the concentration of the cat formulation (0.5 mg/ml). Giving a cat the dog-strength product without adjusting the volume results in a 300% overdose, which can cause acute kidney failure — a life-threatening emergency. Always confirm species-specific product labelling before dispensing.

Metacam Formats

Metacam Oral Suspension for Dogs (1.5 mg/ml)

The most widely used form. Available in 10 ml, 32 ml, 100 ml, and 180 ml bottles, each supplied with a weight-calibrated dosing syringe. Suitable for both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) pain management. Can be administered directly into the mouth or mixed with a small amount of food.

Metacam Chewable Tablets for Dogs (1 mg & 2.5 mg)

Meat-flavoured and scored for splitting. The 1 mg tablet is calibrated for dogs around 10 kg, and the 2.5 mg tablet for dogs around 25 kg. A practical alternative for dogs that resist liquid administration or spit out food-disguised liquid doses.

Metacam Oral Suspension for Cats (0.5 mg/ml)

Available in 3 ml, 10 ml, 15 ml, and 30 ml bottles. The lower concentration ensures safe, precise dosing for cats, whose sensitivity to meloxicam demands finer dose increments than tablets allow. Also used off-label in guinea pigs in some clinical settings, under direct veterinary direction only.

Injectable Metacam 

Injectable Metacam is administered by a vet or trained veterinary nurse — it is not available for home use.

• 5 mg/ml solution (for dogs and horses): Provides rapid perioperative pain relief before oral dosing begins. Dogs can receive this intravenously (IV) or subcutaneously (SC).
• 2 mg/ml solution (cat-specific): Administered subcutaneously (SC) only, typically as a single pre- or post-operative injection.

Metacam Dosing Guide

Metacam is always dosed by body weight. The two-phase schedule (loading dose on Day 1, lower maintenance dose from Day 2 onwards) is consistent across dogs and cats, but the amounts differ significantly between species.

Weigh Your Pet Before Every Course

Always weigh your pet accurately before starting treatment. If your pet's weight changes significantly during long-term therapy — especially in growing or elderly animals — contact your vet to recalculate the dose. Inaccurate dosing is the most common cause of NSAID-related side effects in home-managed animals.

For long-term treatment of chronic musculoskeletal conditions, your vet may reduce the dose further to the lowest effective individual dose once a clear clinical response has been observed (typically after 4 or more days of treatment).

Contraindications — When Metacam Must Not Be Used

Do not give Metacam if your pet has any of the following:

• Known kidney, liver, or heart disease
• Dehydration, reduced blood volume (hypovolaemia), or low blood pressure
• Currently receiving another NSAID or a corticosteroid (e.g. prednisolone)
• A history of gastrointestinal ulcers or bleeding disorders
• A previous hypersensitivity reaction to meloxicam or any other NSAID
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Under 6 weeks of age (dogs), or under 6 weeks for acute / 4 months for chronic pain (cats)

Always provide your vet with a full medication and health history before starting Metacam. If your pet is due for anaesthesia or surgery, inform your vet if they are already on Metacam, as NSAIDs can interact with anaesthetic agents and affect renal perfusion under anaesthesia.