Metacam is One Possible Dog Arthritis Treatment

by Julia Barbosa Blogger

As dog age, they may develop certain muscle deterioration, joint pains, and even arthritis. When a dog suffers from arthritis, he becomes slower and less active due to the pain.

Due to the inactivity, your pet’s muscles get stiff and they have a harder time moving. And just like human arthritis, the weather influences the severity of this condition on pets. If you do want a quick and effective way to treat dog arthritis, then Metacam can work out for you and your dog.

As of today, Metacam is one of the most commonly used veterinary drugs for treating dog arthritis. Developed by the company Boehringer-Ingelheim, its active ingredient is Meloxicam and is an anti-inflammatory drug, which usually comes in either liquid or chewable tablets, making it easier for dogs to take. It is by far the most recommended by vets for use in dogs (and even cats).

As an anti-inflammatory drug, it is known to reduce pain and inflammation in your pet. Metacam can even be used against wounds, injuries, and other related things due to either accidents or surgery. It helps them heal faster. Another use for the medicine is to treat some musculoskeletal illnesses. The only “approved” use is for treating arthritis, but vets have had much success in treating many other areas such as those just mentioned.

So how does Metacam work? The active ingredient, Meloxicam, is the source of the pain and inflammation management. It is a non-steroidal drug, and ensures pain relief for your dog that suffers extreme discomfort due to arthritis. It heals and lubricates the affected joints of your dog, thus reducing and even ultimately eliminating the joint pains. There is a pain relief guarantee within twenty-four hours, administering a single dose every day.

Oral suspension Metacam for dogs comes in 10ml, 32ml 100ml, and 180ml bottles, which comes in a honey-flavored liquid your dog will surely enjoy. It can be either fed directly onto his mouth or mixed with his meal if you like. However, for correct dosages, it is still wise to consult your veterinarian. The lowest possible dosage should be the starting point and increase as the dog ages. It may also depend on the breed of your dog.

However, the drug also has side effects, such as vomiting, ulceration, and diarrhea. Also, the oral (liquid) Metacam has a warning in which it should not be used in cats. There is, however, an injection formula for both dogs and cats, but the cats are only allowed to use it for surgical purposes, approved around October 2004. Later on in July 2010, it was finally approved for use in cats, but only limited to one-time single dosage.

Meloxicam, which is Metacam’s main ingredient, is marketed by different countries under different commercial names such as Meloxidyl, Petcam, Meloxidolor, Meloxoral, Moxen (Philippines), Melonex (India), and Loxitan (Greece).

Overall, Metacam is just one of the many remedies for dog arthritis, often used for quick and effective relief, because the brand had been long trusted for years, especially the company itself. However, many people might still consider holistic approaches in treating arthritis. Another fact to consider is that while a dog is still young, proper exercise and physical fitness can actually prevent and lessen dog arthritis when the dog reaches his senior years. Thanks for reading! If you are a dog lover must visit the Feedfond.com once. You will find an A-Z Dog Health Care guide there.