mobic and Cat-Diseases

Osteoarthritis (OA) is very common in the cat and in many cases is associated with significant long-term pain, which limits mobility and activity, and severely compromises the animal's quality of life.. The treatment of chronic arthritic pain is a major challenge and many analgesic drugs used in other species are not licensed, not available or not tested for use in the cat. Many older cats with painful OA have some degree of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and many clinicians are reluctant to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in these animals because of the potential for nephrotoxicity.. There are several publications that show that meloxicam is an effective NSAID for the cat and can be used long-term. It is easy to administer and there is published evidence that meloxicam can actually slow the progression of CKD in this species. Many other drugs are used to treat chronic pain in the cat but there is no documented evidence of their efficacy in OA. Unlike the dog, there is limited evidence for the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acid-rich diets in managing feline OA and further work is required. There is no published data as yet for the usefulness or otherwise of nutraceuticals (glucosamine and chondroitin) in managing feline OA; studies in the authors' clinic suggest some pain-relieving effect. Research into environmental enrichment as a way of improving quality of life in cats with painful OA is lacking, but it is an approach worth using where possible. Modifications to the environment (eg, provision of comfortable bedding and ramps) are also important.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Evidence-Based Medicine; Meloxicam; Osteoarthritis; Thiazines; Thiazoles

Injectable non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed to queens undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OVH), but the requirement for postoperative administration is unclear and practices vary. Existing studies assessing efficacy rely on pain scoring by experienced clinicians. However, following OVH, most cats are discharged within hours of recovery.. Cats undergoing OVH were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: MEL and ROB. Cats in the MEL group (n = 76) received meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) and those in the ROB group (n = 65) received robenacoxib (2 mg/kg). Owners were contacted by a blinded assessor 3 days postoperatively and asked to identify physical or behavioural changes and to assign pain scores using a numerical rating scale.. More cats in the ROB group displayed abnormal behaviours than cats in the MEL group (p = 0.03). Most owners assigned a pain score of 0 (72%) (n = 101), but pain scores were significantly higher in the ROB group than in the MEL group (p = 0.005).. Methods of owner assessment of pain in cats have not been validated.. Both meloxicam and robenacoxib are effective in controlling postoperative pain. Meloxicam may have improved efficacy in certain patient populations. Applying a blanket approach to prescribing NSAIDs to cats undergoing OVH postoperatively may not be necessary. This has safety, environmental and cost implications.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Hysterectomy; Meloxicam; Ovariectomy; Pain Measurement; Pain, Postoperative; Prospective Studies

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are infrequently utilized in cats due to concern for renal compromise; however, recent studies demonstrate tolerability of low dose meloxicam. Toceranib phosphate is used to treat several feline cancers and is well tolerated. This study aimed to determine the tolerability and adverse event profile of combined toceranib and low dose meloxicam in cancer-bearing cats. Secondary goals involved assessing anticancer tumor efficacy and impact upon quality of life and analgesia.. Cats with any cancer not involving the kidneys were eligible. The study adopted a conventional 3 + 3 dose escalation design. Toceranib was administered every other day at a standard dose with meloxicam administered in an escalating fashion in subsequent cohorts, at a starting dose of 0.01 mg/kg on opposite days to toceranib, up to a maximum of 0.02 mg/kg daily, based upon previous safety studies. Laboratory work, blood pressure, tumor measurements, pain score and client-completed quality-of-life surveys were recorded every 2-4 weeks during the 12-week study period.. Twenty-one cats were enrolled. When combined with toceranib, a meloxicam dose of 0.02 mg/kg q24h was safe and well tolerated, with no cats being withdrawn due to adverse events from the drug combination. The majority of cats demonstrated clinical benefit with stable to mildly improved tumor measurements, quality of life and pain scores.. Low dose meloxicam combined with toceranib is safe and well tolerated in cancer-bearing cats. Continued patient recruitment and data collection are needed to determine the maximum tolerated dose of meloxicam. The results of our study will guide further phase II/III trials.

Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Meloxicam; Neoplasms; Pain; Quality of Life

Meloxicam therapy may benefit cats with degenerative joint disease, and retrospective studies suggest it could slow kidney disease progression and increase survival. This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the renal effects of low-dose meloxicam treatment (0.02 mg/kg/day) over 6 months in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD).. Twenty-one cats with stable International Renal Interest Society stage 2 or 3 CKD were recruited and randomized to placebo or meloxicam groups. Cats were evaluated at baseline and at 1, 3 and 6 months, including blood pressure, chemistry, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urinalysis, urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC), urine transforming growth factor-beta (β):creatinine ratio, urine clusterin, urine cystatin B and serum inosine.. No statistical difference was observed in systolic blood pressure, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, SDMA, GFR, urine transforming growth factor-β:creatinine ratio, urine clusterin, urine cystatin B or serum inosine in cats receiving meloxicam vs placebo. Mean UPC was greater in the meloxicam group (0.33) than the placebo group (0.1) at 6 months (. No decline in renal excretory function was observed when meloxicam was administered to cats with CKD. However, gastrointestinal adverse effects were observed, and cats that received meloxicam had greater proteinuria at 6 months than cats that received placebo. As proteinuria is associated with negative outcomes (progression of azotemia and hypertension) in cats with CKD, this finding suggests that meloxicam should be used with caution in cats with CKD and UPC monitored. Until further research is available, clinicians should weigh the risk of potential increased proteinuria against quality of life benefits when considering meloxicam for analgesia in cats with renal disease.

Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Meloxicam; Quality of Life; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Retrospective Studies

To evaluate the cyclooxygenases (COX) inhibition, adverse effects and analgesic efficacy of dipyrone or meloxicam in cats undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy.. Prospective, blinded, randomized, clinical study.. A total of 30 healthy young cats.. The cats were randomly assigned to three postoperative groups: D25 (dipyrone 25 mg kg. In the first half hour after analgesic administration, COX-1 activity was close to zero and remained significantly lower than before drug administration for 24 hours in all groups. The inhibition of COX-2 activity was significant for 30 minutes in all groups and up to 4 hours in group M. No alterations in laboratory tests or significant adverse effects were observed. Pain scores and need for rescue analgesia did not differ statistically among groups.. Dipyrone at both doses and meloxicam provided a nonselective inhibition of COX-1 and -2 activities and effective analgesia without causing significant adverse effects or laboratory tests alterations.. Dipyrone at both doses provides equally effective analgesia without causing adverse effects in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Topics: Analgesics; Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cyclooxygenase 1; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Dipyrone; Female; Hysterectomy; Meloxicam; Ovariectomy; Pain, Postoperative; Prospective Studies; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases

This study compared bupivacaine (BUP), bupivacaine-lidocaine-epinephrine (BLE), dexamethasone (DEX), and meloxicam (MEL) targeted at specific, potentially painful sites for reducing acute postoperative pain in cats undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy. One hundred fifty-one cats were included in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial. Anesthesia consisted of a standardized protocol including buprenorphine, ketamine, dexmedetomidine, and isoflurane. A ventral midline ovariohysterectomy was performed, and cats were administered targeted injections of 0.5% bupivacaine (2 mg/kg); a combined 0.25% bupivacaine (1 mg/kg), 1% lidocaine (2 mg/kg), and 1:100,000 epinephrine (0.005 mg/kg); dexamethasone (0.125 mg/kg); or meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) intraoperatively at the ovarian suspensory ligaments, uterine body, and incisional subcutaneous tissues. A 0-10 Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS) was used to assess cats postoperatively, 1 hour and 3 hours after anesthesia recovery prior to a same day discharge. Pain scores among evaluators were in good agreement with an overall Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of 0.7897 (95% Confidence Interval 0.795-0.8313).  In all groups, overall pain scores 1-hour post anesthesia recovery were significantly higher than scores 3 hours post anesthesia recovery (P < .0001). Averaged pain scores compared among treatment groups did not differ at 1 hour post recovery. At 3-hours post anesthesia recovery, MEL group cats had significantly lower pain scores than the BLE group (P = .018). Study results indicate that early postoperative pain scores were similar for cats receiving local infiltrations of BUP, BLE, DEX, and MEL as part of a multimodal pain therapy for routine ovariohysterectomies. MEL showed somewhat better results 3 hours post anesthesia recovery, gaining significance over the BLE group.

Topics: Animals; Bupivacaine; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dexamethasone; Epinephrine; Lidocaine; Meloxicam; Pain, Postoperative; Prospective Studies

To compare the effects of meloxicam or carprofen on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and to evaluate the effect of meloxicam on urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity, of cats after dental surgery.. Randomized, blinded, controlled trial.. A total of 24 mixed breed cats.. Cats were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 8 per group): meloxicam (0.2 mg kg. There was no significant difference in plasma ICL rate (range: from 1.22 ± 0.05 to 1.27 ± 0.04 mL kg minute. Meloxicam and carprofen appeared to produce nonsignificant effects on GFR, and meloxicam did not affect the urinary NAG activity, of cats after dental surgery.

Topics: Acetylglucosaminidase; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Carbazoles; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Male; Meloxicam; Tooth Diseases

Urethral obstruction (UO) is a common complication of feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC). Robust treatment recommendations to prevent its recurrence are scarce.. To evaluate meloxicam treatment for prevention of clinical recrudescence in male cats with obstructive FIC.. Fifty-one client-owned cats.. Prospective, randomized clinical trial. Every male cat with FIC-associated UO was deemed eligible for the study and was recruited during hospitalization. After discharge, cats were treated with phenoxybenzamine and alprazolam for 2 weeks, with (24 cats) or without (27 cats) low-dose meloxicam (0.025 mg/kg/day PO) and monitored for 6 months.. Cumulative number (%) of cats with recurrent UO at 10 days, 1-, 2-, and 6-months after discharge was 1 (2%), 2 (4%), 4 (8%), and 8 (16%), respectively. Overall, 12 (24%) cats experienced signs of recurrent FIC within 6 months, with (8 cats) or without (4 cats) concurrent UO. No difference in the cumulative incidence of UO within 6 months was detected with addition of meloxicam (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.63 [0.13-2.97]; P = .70). All cats were alive at 6 months.. No clinical benefit was detected with the addition of low-dose meloxicam to phenoxybenzamine and alprazolam treatment for 2 weeks after discharge. Nevertheless, this study was underpowered to identify potential differences, and its findings must be corroborated in larger studies.

Topics: Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; Alprazolam; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Clinical Protocols; Cystitis; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Male; Meloxicam; Phenoxybenzamine; Prospective Studies; Recurrence; Urethral Obstruction

Objectives The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam on the clinical course of obstructive idiopathic cystitis in cats in a placebo-controlled clinical study. Methods Thirty-seven cats with obstructive idiopathic cystitis were enrolled. Cats received supportive treatment and an indwelling transurethral catheter for 48 h. On days 0 and 1, all cats received buprenorphine 0.01 mg/kg subcutaneously every 8 h. On day 1, cats were randomly assigned to the meloxicam (n = 18) or placebo group (n = 19) and received meloxicam (0.1 mg/kg on day 1, 0.05 mg/kg on days 2-5) or placebo orally for five consecutive days. Cats were monitored by repeated physical examinations and urinalysis, and with a 5 day questionnaire filled in by the owners after discharge and a telephone interview 3 months after presentation. Parameters for evaluation of treatment success were the occurrence of recurrent urethral obstruction, results of physical examinations and questionnaires. Results Recurrent urethral obstruction occurred in 4/18 cats (22%) in the meloxicam group and 5/19 cats (26%) in the placebo group ( P = 1.000). General demeanour and pain on abdominal palpation during hospitalisation improved significantly in both groups ( P <0.001). After discharge, with regard to general demeanour, food intake and voiding behaviour, there were no significant differences within or between groups at different time points. Conclusions and relevance Orally administered meloxicam for 5 days did not influence the incidence of recurrent urethral obstruction and the recovery from clinical signs in cats with obstructive feline idiopathic cystitis. The persistence of clinical signs in most of the cats 1 week after initial presentation indicates that symptomatic treatment for a longer period of time is warranted.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cystitis; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Humans; Male; Meloxicam; Ownership; Pain; Pain Measurement; Surveys and Questionnaires; Thiazines; Thiazoles; Treatment Outcome; Urethral Obstruction

To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of meloxicam oral transmucosal spray (OTMS) alone and with tramadol in cats with osteoarthritis (OA).. Randomized, blinded study.. Fifteen geriatric cats weighing 4.5 ± 1.0 kg.. Healthy cats with OA were randomly administered a placebo (every 12 hours orally) and meloxicam OTMS (approximately 0.05 mg kg. Mean ± standard deviation peak vertical force (percentage of body weight) increased significantly in both groups (p = 0.02), from 47.7 ± 6.5% to 60.5 ± 9.4% in group M, and from 51.8 ± 5.0% to 64.1 ± 6.5% in group TM, with no difference between groups. Motor activity increased in M (from 43 ± 12 to 56 ± 13; p = 0.02), but not in TM. The number of stimulations from RMTS increased in TM only. Cut-off values were reached in a larger number of cats (n = 5) in TM than M (n = 1) (p < 0.05). Gastrointestinal adverse effects were self-limiting in six cats, including five in TM.. Meloxicam OTMS had similar effects on peak vertical force, motor activity and pain sensitization as previously reported for oral meloxicam in OA cats. The tramadol-meloxicam combination provided no evident benefit over meloxicam alone, except for central hypersensitivity (assessed with RMTS). Further assessment of the potential toxicity of the combination is required prior to clinical use. Gingival administration was well accepted overall.

Topics: Administration, Mucosal; Analgesics, Opioid; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Male; Meloxicam; Oral Sprays; Osteoarthritis; Pilot Projects; Single-Blind Method; Thiazines; Thiazoles; Tramadol

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used in veterinary medicine. Robenacoxib is a NSAID with high selectivity for the cyclo-oxygenase-2 enzyme. In this study, the efficacy and safety of robenacoxib were evaluated in a prospective, randomised, active- and placebo-controlled masked clinical trial in 147 cats undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Cats were randomised into two treatment groups: Group 1, robenacoxib (2 mg/kg) administered via subcutaneous (s.c.) injection before surgery, followed by robenacoxib tablets (1-2.4 mg/kg) administered post-operatively for approximately 9 days (n = 101) and Group 2, meloxicam (0.3 mg/kg) administered s.c. before surgery, followed by placebo tablets administered post-operatively for approximately 9 days (n = 46). Cats were assessed using numerical rating scales (NRSs) by clinicians before surgery and at 3, 8, 22 and 28 hours after surgery and at the final visit (VF on approximately Day 10), and daily by their owners from Day 1 to the VF.. The primary end point was the global investigator score which was the sum of clinician NRSs for posture, behaviour and pain on palpation/manipulation. The efficacy of the single robenacoxib injection, assessed during 3 to 22 hours, was statistically non-inferior to meloxicam, with a relative efficacy of 1.029 (95% confidence interval, 0.847-1.231). No significant differences were detected during the follow-up treatment with robenacoxib tablets for approximately 9 days compared with placebo via clinician assessments at 28 hours and the VF, or in owner assessments on Days 1-VF. There were no significant differences in frequencies of reported adverse events, clinical observations and haematology or clinical chemistry variables between the groups.. Single s.c. injection of robenacoxib before surgery had non-inferior efficacy compared with meloxicam in controlling post-operative pain and inflammation in cats undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Follow-up treatment with oral robenacoxib tablets for approximately 9 days was well tolerated, but there were no differences in the efficacy scores after Day 1 compared with the group receiving meloxicam s.c. followed by placebo control.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Diphenylamine; Female; Hydrocortisone; Inflammation; Male; Meloxicam; Orthopedic Procedures; Pain, Postoperative; Perioperative Period; Phenylacetates; Thiazines; Thiazoles

Degenerative joint disease and associated pain are common in cats, particularly in older cats. There is a need for treatment options, however evaluation of putative therapies is limited by a lack of suitable, validated outcome measures that can be used in the target population of client owned cats. The objectives of this study were to evaluate low-dose daily meloxicam for the treatment of pain associated with degenerative joint disease in cats, and further validate two clinical metrology instruments, the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI) and the Client Specific Outcome Measures (CSOM).. Sixty-six client owned cats with degenerative joint disease and owner-reported impairments in mobility were screened and enrolled into a double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Following a run-in baseline period, cats were given either placebo or meloxicam for 21 days, then in a masked washout, cats were all given placebo for 21 days. Subsequently, cats were given the opposite treatment, placebo or meloxicam, for 21 days. Cats wore activity monitors throughout the study, owners completed clinical metrology instruments following each period.. Activity counts were increased in cats during treatment with daily meloxicam (p<0.0001) compared to baseline. The FMPI results and activity count data offer concurrent validation for the FMPI, though the relationship between baseline activity counts and FMPI scores at baseline was poor (R2=0.034). The CSOM did not show responsiveness for improvement in this study, and the relationship between baseline activity counts and CSOM scores at baseline was similarly poor (R2=0.042).. Refinements to the FMPI, including abbreviation of the instrument and scoring as percent of possible score are recommended. This study offered further validation of the FMPI as a clinical metrology instrument for use in detecting therapeutic efficacy in cats with degenerative joint disease.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cross-Over Studies; Double-Blind Method; Female; Joint Diseases; Male; Meloxicam; Mobility Limitation; Motor Activity; Severity of Illness Index; Thiazines; Thiazoles; Treatment Outcome

To compare the efficacy of meloxicam and a glucosamine-chondroitin (Glu-Ch) supplement in the management of feline osteoarthritis (OA).. Prospective, blinded, randomized clinical trial. Cats over eight years of age with clinical signs of chronic OA were assigned to one of two groups and Glu-Ch or meloxicam was administered orally for 70 days, followed by a placebo until day 98. Cats were assessed by a veterinarian on five occasions and the owner completed an assessment form at the same time.. Data were collected from thirty cats. Pre-treatment disease scores were significantly higher in the meloxicam group for owner mobility (p=0.01) and veterinary lameness (p=0.02). Owner mobility scores at day 14 (p=0.01) and day 42 (p=0.002) were significantly improved compared to pre-treatment scores for the meloxicam group. When meloxicam and Glu-Ch were discontinued and the placebo commenced, a significant proportion of the meloxicam group showed worsening of all the owner-assessed scores between day 70 and day 98, when compared to the Glu-Ch group (mobility p=0.01; activity p=0.02; temperament p=0.04; lifestyle p=0.01).. Treatment with meloxicam resulted in a significant improvement in mobility and activity levels of cats with OA until the placebo was introduced. A greater proportion of cats receiving meloxicam medication showed a significant worsening of owner assessment scores once the placed was introduced, when compared to the Glu-Ch group.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Chondroitin; Dietary Supplements; Female; Glucosamine; Male; Meloxicam; Osteoarthritis; Thiazines; Thiazoles

This study aimed to characterize osteoarthritis (OA)-related chronic pain and disability in experimental cats with naturally occurring OA. Peak vertical ground reaction force (PVF), accelerometer-based motor activity (MA) and the von Frey anesthesiometer-induced paw withdrawal threshold were used to define OA and to test the efficacy of meloxicam. A diagnosis of OA was based on radiographic and orthopedic examinations. Cats with OA (n=39) and classified as non-OA (n=6) were used to assess the reliability and sensitivity of the parameters to assess OA over 3weeks while being administered placebo medication. A randomised parallel design study was then used to investigate the effects on OA of daily oral meloxicam treatment for 4weeks at different dose rates (0.025mg/kg, n=10mg/kg; 0.04mg/kg, n=10; 0.05mg/kg, n=9), compared to cats administered a placebo (n=10). The test-retest repeatability for each tool was good (intra-class correlation coefficient ⩾0.6). The PVF and the von Frey anesthesiometer-induced paw withdrawal threshold discriminated OA (P<0.05). Meloxicam did not add to the PVF improvement observed in placebo-treated cats during the treatment period (adj-P⩽0.01). The 0.025 and the 0.05mg/kg meloxicam-treated cats experienced a higher night-time (17:00-06:58h) MA intensity during the treatment period compared to the placebo period (adj-P=0.04, and 0.02, respectively) and this effect was not observed in the placebo group. The high allodynia rate observed in the 0.04mg/kg meloxicam-treated group may explain the lower responsiveness to the drug. The von Frey anesthesiometer-induced paw withdrawal threshold demonstrated no responsiveness to meloxicam. The results from this study indicated that daily oral meloxicam administration for 4weeks provided pain relief according to night-time MA.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Chronic Pain; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Hyperalgesia; Male; Meloxicam; Osteoarthritis; Pain Measurement; Thiazines; Thiazoles

One hundred female cats undergoing routine ovariohysterectomy under midazolam-medetomidine-ketamine anaesthesia were included in a blinded, randomised, prospective clinical study to compare postoperative analgesia produced by four analgesic drug combinations given preoperatively (n = 25 per group). A secondary aim was to assess the effects in kittens and pregnant animals. Buprenorphine 180 µg/m(2) or butorphanol 6 mg/m(2) were given with either carprofen 4 mg/kg (groups BUPC and BUTC, respectively) or meloxicam 0.3 mg/kg (groups BUPM or BUTM, respectively). Medetomidine was not antagonised. A simple, descriptive scale (SDS; 0-4), a dynamic and interactive visual analogue scale (DIVAS; 0-100 mm) and mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MT; 2.5-mm diameter probe) were used to evaluate postoperative pain. All pain scores were low (DIVAS <10 mm, SDS <2 and MT >10 N) and there were no significant differences between the groups. It was concluded that all protocols provided adequate analgesia and when used with midazolam-medetomidine-ketamine are effective for routine feline ovariohysterectomy.

Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Anesthesia, Obstetrical; Anesthetics, Combined; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Buprenorphine; Carbazoles; Cat Diseases; Cats; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Hysterectomy; Meloxicam; Ovariectomy; Pain, Postoperative; Postoperative Care; Pregnancy; Premedication; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Prospective Studies; Thiazines; Thiazoles; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and palatability of meloxicam 0.5mg/ml oral suspension, compared to ketoprofen tablets in cats suffering from painful acute locomotor disorders. This single blinded, positively-controlled, randomised, multicentre trial involved 121 client owned cats. Cats received either meloxicam (0.5mg/ml oral suspension) at 0.1mg/kg on day 1 followed by 0.05mg/kg q 24h on days 2-5, or ketoprofen 5mg tablets at 1.0mg/kg q 24h for 5 days. The efficacy of the two treatments was assessed subjectively by clinicians on day 6 using a clinical sum score (CSS). Palatability and accuracy of dosing were also assessed. The baseline CSS was not significantly different between the groups, and after 5 days of treatment the CSS had decreased to a similar extent, reflecting a reduction in pain. There were no significant differences between the CSS of each group at day 6. Both treatments were well tolerated. Meloxicam was significantly more palatable than ketoprofen, and allowed for more accurate dosing. Meloxicam and ketoprofen are a safe and efficacious treatment for acute locomotor disorders in cats. Meloxicam (Metacam) may be associated with superior compliance in clinical practice due to the higher palatability, which results in better ease of administration.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Ketoprofen; Lameness, Animal; Male; Meloxicam; Pain; Pain Measurement; Taste; Thiazines; Thiazoles; Treatment Outcome

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, painful condition that is now recognised as affecting a large proportion of cats. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have proven efficacy in dogs and humans but there are limited published data on the use of NSAIDs in the long-term management of this condition in cats. This prospective study aimed to assess the long-term safety and palatability of oral meloxicam and its efficacy in treating osteoarthritic pain in cats when given at a dose of 0.01-0.03 mg/kg once daily. Forty cats diagnosed with osteoarthritis completed the trial with a mean treatment duration of 5.8 months. Gastrointestinal upset in 2/46 (4%) cats was the only adverse effect noted. No deleterious effect on renal function was detected in cats studied. Owners subjectively assessed treatment efficacy as good or excellent in 34/40 (85%) of cases. The results of this study showed oral meloxicam to be safe and palatable long-term treatment for osteoarthritis in cats when given with food at a dose of 0.01-0.03 mg/kg.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Male; Meloxicam; Osteoarthritis; Thiazines; Thiazoles; Treatment Outcome

Eighty female cats presented for ovariohysterectomy were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups in this assessor-blinded trial. After pre-anaesthetic assessment, the cats were premedicated with acepromazine (0.1 mg/kg). Anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone and maintained with halothane in oxygen. Forty cats received carprofen (4 mg/kg subcutaneously) and 40 received meloxicam (0.3 mg/kg subcutaneously) after anaesthetic induction. Following routine flank ovariohysterectomy the cats were assessed using visual analogue scale scores for pain and sedation over a 20-hour study period. Blood samples were taken before sedation and at 20 hours for serum biochemistry (urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase). There were no significant differences between the groups for pain and sedation scores. Serum biochemistry values were similar between the groups, with some differences within groups between the pre-sedation and 20-hour values. One cat in the carprofen group and two cats in the meloxicam group required rescue analgesia with intramuscular morphine (0.2 mg/kg).

Topics: Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Carbazoles; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Hysterectomy; Injections, Subcutaneous; Meloxicam; Ovariectomy; Pain, Postoperative; Thiazines; Thiazoles

The ability of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to modify the clinical manifestations of pain associated with locomotor disease was assessed. Sixty-nine cats with acute or chronic locomotor disorders were recruited from 14 first opinion UK veterinary practices and randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups. Group A received meloxicam drops (0.3 mg/kg orally on day 1 followed by 0.1 mg/kg daily for four more consecutive days) and group B received ketoprofen tablets (1.0 mg/kg orally once daily for five days). Each cat underwent a full clinical examination before treatment, 24 hours after initiation of treatment and 24 hours after completion of treatment. General clinical parameters (demeanour and feed intake) and specific locomotor parameters (weightbearing, lameness, local inflammation and pain on palpation) were scored using a discontinuous scale scoring system. The two groups did not differ in terms of age, weight, gender distribution or duration of clinical signs; nor did they differ in terms of general clinical or specific locomotor scores pretreatment. Both treatment regimens resulted in a significant improvement in demeanour, feed intake and weightbearing, and a significant reduction in lameness, pain on palpation and inflammation. No significant difference was observed between the two treatment groups with respect to any of the parameters measured and both treatments were associated with minimal observed side effects. Meloxicam and ketoprofen were found to be effective analgesics and well tolerated in cats with acute or chronic locomotor disorders when administered for short-term treatment (five days) in such cases. However, meloxicam was assessed to be significantly more palatable than ketoprofen.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Ketoprofen; Lameness, Animal; Male; Meloxicam; Pain; Pain Measurement; Thiazines; Thiazoles; Treatment Outcome

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a well-known but poorly documented adverse effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in cats. We aimed to describe instances of NSAID-associated AKI in cats and survey Australian veterinarians on NSAID use in acute settings.. Medical records of cats that developed an AKI subsequent to the administration of meloxicam were obtained by searching the databases of seven practices in Queensland, as well as by contemporaneously contacting select veterinary colleagues of the authors in both general and specialist small animal practice. An online questionnaire was created for the survey, and the URL distributed to Australian practitioners.. A total of 18 cases were retrieved, all of which received injectable meloxicam. The indication(s) for its use and the dosage prescribed were within the manufacturer's recommendations for Australian veterinarians. The majority of cases (13/18 cats) received the label dose of 0.3 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) on the day of the procedure. In 12/18 cats, the injection was given in association with general anaesthesia or sedation. Fourteen cats survived to hospital discharge. Of 187 survey respondees, 89% routinely administered NSAIDs for surgery-related analgesia, with 98% prescribing meloxicam and 84% of these giving it SC. Ninety percent of respondees routinely administered NSAIDs for non-surgical-related analgesia, with 99% prescribing meloxicam and 35% of those giving it SC.. We strongly recommend that practitioners avoid prescribing meloxicam SC in cats. This recommendation is emphatic in situations where concurrent dehydration and/or hypotension are possible.

Topics: Acute Kidney Injury; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Australia; Cat Diseases; Cats; Meloxicam; Pain; Thiazines

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cyclooxygenase 2; Dinoprostone; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Meloxicam; Pain; Protein Isoforms; Rabbits; Thiazines; Thiazoles

Topics: Acute Kidney Injury; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Australia; Cat Diseases; Cats; Meloxicam; Thiazines

Cats with non-erosive immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) were identified from seven referral hospitals between 2009 and 2020 for a multicentre retrospective case series. Data were obtained from hospital records and referring veterinarians were contacted for follow-up. Twenty cases were identified: 12 castrated males (60%), one entire male (5%) and seven spayed females (35%). Common clinical signs included lameness (n = 20/20) and pyrexia (n = 10/18). Three cats presented with and two cats developed ligament laxity during treatment. Thirteen cats (65%) were diagnosed with non-associative IMPA and seven (35%) with associative IMPA. Comorbidities identified included chronic enteropathy (n = x/7), feline immunodeficiency virus (n = x/7) feline herpesvirus (n = x/7), bronchopneumonia (n = x/7) and discospondylitis (n = x/7). Sampling of the tarsal joints most frequently identified an increased proportion of neutrophils, consistent with IMPA. Eighteen cats (90%) received immunosuppressants. Eleven cats were started on prednisolone; eight had a poor response resulting in the addition of a second agent, euthanasia or acceptance of the persisting signs. One cat received ciclosporin and required an alternative second agent owing to adverse effects. Five cats were started on prednisolone and ciclosporin; three had a poor response and required an alternative second agent. One cat received prednisolone and chlorambucil and had a good response. Two cats (10%) received meloxicam and had a good response, although the clinical signs recurred when medication was tapered. A good outcome was achieved in 14/20 cats (70%) with IMPA. In the cats with a poor outcome 4/6 were euthanased and 2/6 had chronic lameness.. Prognosis for feline IMPA can be good. Multimodal immunosuppression was often required. IMPA should be considered in lame cats, with or without pyrexia, when there is no evidence of trauma or infection. The tarsal joints should be included in the multiple joints chosen for sampling. Ligament laxity can occur in non-erosive feline IMPA.

Topics: Animals; Arthritis; Cat Diseases; Cats; Chlorambucil; Cyclosporine; Female; Fever; Immunosuppressive Agents; Joint Diseases; Lameness, Animal; Male; Meloxicam; Organophosphorus Compounds; Prednisolone; Retrospective Studies

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of low dose cyclophosphamide chemotherapy plus meloxicam as an adjuvant treatment, compared with high dose doxorubicin or surgery alone in cats with mammary carcinoma. Medical records of 228 female cats treated for mammary carcinoma between 2008 and 2018, were reviewed in eight veterinary institutions. Only cats with complete tumour staging and radical mastectomy were included in the study. One hundred and thirty-seven cats were divided into three treatment groups: group 1 (n = 80) cats treated with surgery, group 2 (n = 34) cats that had surgery and adjuvant treatment with doxorubicin, and group 3 (n = 23) cats with surgery and adjuvant treatment with low dose metronomic cyclophosphamide and meloxicam. The study endpoints were disease free interval (DFI) and overall survival (OS). Toxicity was evaluated according to the VCOG-CTCAE criteria. The median DFI was 270, 226 and 372 days in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The median OS was 338 (group 1), 421 (group 2) and 430 (group 3) days. The differences between groups were not significant (DFI P = .280 and OS P = .186). Toxicity was observed in 52.9% (n = 18) of cats in group 2 and 39.1% (n = 9) of cats in group 3, with mild to moderate intensity. Differences were not significant (P = .306). In conclusion, adjuvant chemotherapy treatment did not improve survival and the overall benefit remains unproven. Randomized prospective trials are necessary to clarify the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy treatment for feline mammary carcinomas.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Carcinoma; Cat Diseases; Cats; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Cyclophosphamide; Doxorubicin; Female; Mammary Neoplasms, Animal; Mastectomy; Meloxicam; Retrospective Studies; Survival Rate

Repeated administration of meloxicam can cause kidney damage in cats by mechanisms that remain unclear. Metabolomics and lipidomics are powerful, noninvasive approaches used to investigate tissue response to drug exposure. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the effects of meloxicam on the feline kidney using untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics approaches. Female young-adult purpose-breed cats were allocated into the control (n = 4) and meloxicam (n = 4) groups. Cats in the control and meloxicam groups were treated daily with saline and meloxicam at 0.3 mg/kg subcutaneously for 17 days, respectively. Renal cortices and medullas were collected at the end of the treatment period. Random forest and metabolic pathway analyses were used to identify metabolites that discriminate meloxicam-treated from saline-treated cats and to identify disturbed metabolic pathways in renal tissue. Our results revealed that the repeated administration of meloxicam to cats altered the kidney metabolome and lipidome and suggest that at least 40 metabolic pathways were altered in the renal cortex and medulla. These metabolic pathways included lipid, amino acid, carbohydrate, nucleotide and energy metabolisms, and metabolism of cofactors and vitamins. This is the first study using a pharmacometabonomics approach for studying the molecular effects of meloxicam on feline kidneys.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Kidney Cortex; Kidney Medulla; Lipid Metabolism; Meloxicam; Metabolomics

Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Crystalloid Solutions; Dexamethasone; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration; Isotonic Solutions; Laminectomy; Male; Meloxicam; Paraparesis; Thiazines; Thiazoles

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is common in cats and humans and invades oral bone. We hypothesized that the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, meloxicam, with the bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid (ZOL), would inhibit tumour growth, osteolysis and invasion in feline OSCC xenografts in mice. Human and feline OSCC cell lines expressed COX-1 and COX-2 and the SCCF2 cells had increased COX-2 mRNA expression with bone conditioned medium. Luciferase-expressing feline SCCF2Luc cells were injected beneath the perimaxillary gingiva and mice were treated with 0.1 mg kg(-1) ZOL twice weekly, 0.3 mg kg(-1) meloxicam daily, combined ZOL and meloxicam, or vehicle. ZOL inhibited osteoclastic bone resorption at the tumour-bone interface. Meloxicam was more effective than ZOL at reducing xenograft growth but did not affect osteoclastic bone resorption. Although a synergistic effect of combined ZOL and meloxicam was not observed, combination therapy was well-tolerated and may be useful in the clinical management of bone-invasive feline OSCC.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Bone Neoplasms; Bone Resorption; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cell Line, Tumor; Cyclooxygenase 1; Cyclooxygenase 2; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Diphosphonates; Disease Models, Animal; Heterografts; Humans; Imidazoles; Male; Meloxicam; Mice; Mice, Nude; Mouth Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Squamous Cell; Random Allocation; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger; Thiazines; Thiazoles; Treatment Outcome; Zoledronic Acid

To determine whether administration of meloxicam or acetylsalicylic acid alters glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in cats with renal azotemia.. 6 young adult cats.. 3 sexually intact male cats and 3 sexually intact female cats had surgically reduced renal mass and azotemia comparable to International Renal Interest Society chronic kidney disease stages 2 and 3. Renal function was evaluated by measurement of serum creatinine concentration, urinary clearance of exogenously administered creatinine, and the urine protein-to-creatinine concentration ratio (UP:C). Measurements taken in cats receiving placebo at the beginning and end of the study were compared with results obtained at the end of 7 days of treatment with either meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg, SC, on day 1; 0.1 mg/kg, SC, on days 2 to 7) or acetylsalicylic acid (20 mg/kg, PO, on days 1, 4, and 7).. No significant treatment effects on urinary clearance of exogenously administered creatinine, serum creatinine concentration, or UP:C were detected. Mean ± SEM serum creatinine concentration and urinary clearance of exogenously administered creatinine measurements following 7 days of treatment with meloxicam (serum creatinine concentration, 2.67 ± 0.17 mg/dL; urinary clearance of exogenously administered creatinine, 1.34 ± 0.08 mL/min/kg) and acetylsalicylic acid (serum creatinine concentration, 2.62 ± 0.12 mg/dL; urinary clearance of exogenously administered creatinine, 1.35 ± 0.07 mL/min/kg) were not significantly different from the mean baseline values for these variables (serum creatinine concentration, 2.77 ± 0.14 mg/dL; urinary clearance of exogenously administered creatinine, 1.36 ± 0.07 mL/min/kg).. Neither meloxicam nor acetylsalicylic acid had a measurable effect on urinary clearance of exogenously administered creatinine, serum creatinine concentration, or UP:C. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that GFR of euvolemic cats with normal or reduced renal function is not dependent on cyclooxygenase function.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Aspirin; Azotemia; Cat Diseases; Cats; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Male; Meloxicam; Thiazines; Thiazoles

To evaluate the association of treatment factors during initial urinary catheterization (IUC) of cats with recurrence of urethral obstruction at 24 hours and 30 days after catheter removal.. Retrospective case series.. 192 male cats with urethral obstruction that were treated at an emergency and specialty center from 2004 through 2010.. Data were obtained from the cats' medical records. Duration of indwelling catheterization, catheterization with a 5F versus 3.5F urinary catheter, treatment with phenoxybenzamine versus prazosin, consistent administration of pain medication, and treatment with meloxicam or antimicrobials during IUC were reviewed for association with rate of recurrent urethral obstruction (rUO).. Overall rUO rates were 10.94% (21/192 cats) at 24 hours and 23.57% (37/157 cats) at 30 days after IUC. At 24 hours and 30 days after IUC, rUO developed in 10 of 140 (7.14%) and 20 of 110 (18.18%) prazosin-treated cats, respectively, compared with 10 of 46 (21.74%) and 16 of 41 (39.02%) phenoxybenzamine-treated cats, respectively. Reobstruction developed following use of a 5F or 3.5F urinary catheter in 11 of 58 (18.97%) and 7 of 105 (6.67%) cats, respectively, through 24 hours. There was no association between rUO and duration of urinary catheterization, administration of antimicrobials or meloxicam, or consistent administration of pain medication during IUC.. At 24 hours and 30 days after IUC, rUO rates in prazosin-treated cats were significantly lower than rates in phenoxybenzamine-treated cats. Reobstruction rate at 24 hours was significantly lower when a 3.5F versus 5F urinary catheter was used.

Topics: Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; Analgesics, Opioid; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Male; Meloxicam; Retrospective Studies; Secondary Prevention; Thiazines; Thiazoles; Urethral Obstruction

Medical records where tepoxalin (Zubrin) or meloxicam (Metacam) were prescribed in cats were reviewed and data extracted. Comparisons were performed for exploring changes between pre- and post-non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug course laboratory tests. Seventy-nine medical records fit the inclusion criteria (n = 57 and n = 22, tepoxalin and meloxicam, respectively). The median dosages administered were 13 and 0.029 mg/kg(/)day (tepoxalin and meloxicam, respectively). Median prescription durations were 11 (2-919) and 93 (4-1814) days for tepoxalin and meloxicam, respectively. Suspected adverse events were reported for tepoxalin (9%, 5/57 cats) and meloxicam (18%, 4/22 cats) a median of 774 and 448 days, respectively, after the prescription started. For cats prescribed meloxicam, there were several statistically significant changes for serum biochemistry and hematology parameters, but median values were within normal limits. These valuable clinical data suggest that tepoxalin and meloxicam are well tolerated in the clinical setting at the doses prescribed in this study.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Male; Meloxicam; Pyrazoles; Retrospective Studies; Thiazines; Thiazoles

Adequate pain relief is usually achieved with the simultaneous use of two or more different classes of analgesics, often called multimodal analgesia. The purpose of this article is to highlight the use of perioperative multimodal analgesia and the need to individualize the treatment plan based on the presenting condition, and to adjust it based on the response to analgesia for a given patient. This case series presents the alleviation of acute pain in three cats undergoing different major surgical procedures. These cases involved the administration of different classes of analgesic drugs, including opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tramadol, ketamine, gabapentin and local anesthetics. The rationale for the administration of analgesic drugs is discussed herein. Each case presented a particular challenge owing to the different cause, severity, duration and location of pain. Pain management is a challenging, but essential, component of feline practice: multimodal analgesia may minimize stress while controlling acute perioperative pain. Individual response to therapy is a key component of pain relief in cats.

Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Male; Meloxicam; Pain; Perioperative Period; Thiazines; Thiazoles

Records of 11 cats with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, which had been treated with meloxicam, were reviewed for signalment, duration of clinical signs prior to diagnosis, results of diagnostic imaging, whether or not concurrent surgery was performed and survival. Immunohistochemical expression of cyclo-oxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) was assessed in the tumours of seven cats. Tumour location varied greatly. The cats had a mean age of 13 years. Three cats had a previous diagnosis of feline idiopathic cystitis of up to 2008 days duration. Ten of the cats showed clinical improvement (reduction of haematuria and/or dysuria), with a mean survival time (MST) of 311 days (range 10-1064); 1-year survival of 50%. All seven bladders assessed for COX staining were COX-1 positive and five were COX-2 positive. The MST for the COX-2-positive cats was 123 days, the MST for the COX-2-negative cases was 375 days.

Topics: Animals; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cyclooxygenase 1; Cyclooxygenase 2; Female; Immunochemistry; Isoenzymes; Male; Meloxicam; Neoplasm Proteins; Survival Analysis; Thiazines; Thiazoles; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

The study sought to examine the effect of long-term meloxicam treatment on the survival of cats with and without naturally-occurring chronic kidney disease at the initiation of therapy. The databases of two feline-only clinics were searched for cats older than 7 years that had been treated continuously with meloxicam for a period of longer than 6 months. Only cats with complete medical records available for review were recruited into the study.The median longevity in the renal group was 18.6 years [95% confidence interval (CI) 17.5-19.2] and the non-renal group was 22 years [95% CI 18.5-23.8]. The median longevity after diagnosis of CKD was 1608 days [95% confidence interval 1344-1919] which compares favourably to previously published survival times of cats with CKD. In both groups the most common cause of death was neoplasia. Long-term treatment with oral meloxicam did not appear to reduce the lifespan of cats with pre-existent stable CKD, even for cats in IRIS stages II and III. Therefore, to address the need for both quality of life and longevity in cats with chronic painful conditions, meloxicam should be considered as a part of the therapeutic regimen.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Australia; Cat Diseases; Cats; Kidney Function Tests; Longevity; Meloxicam; Osteoarthritis; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Thiazines; Thiazoles

A single dose of a rapidly-absorbed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) was injected into the subcutaneous tissue of the interscapular region of a 12.5-year-old cat. A mild swelling was noticed at the injection site 6 weeks later. This progressed into a 5 cm diameter mass which was removed 6 months after the injection had been given. An injection site sarcoma (ISS) was diagnosed histologically. As the cat had not been vaccinated for at least 12 years, the previous NSAID injection was considered to be a possible cause of the ISS. Inflammation is thought to be important in the development of ISS. If injection of a rapidly-absorbed NSAID can stimulate sufficient inflammation to promote the development of an ISS, other non-vaccine injections may also have the potential to influence ISS development. This suggests that injection of both vaccines and non-vaccine medications should be minimised to reduce the risk of ISS development.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Injections, Subcutaneous; Male; Meloxicam; Sarcoma; Skin Neoplasms; Thiazines; Thiazoles; Vaccination

Medical records (2005-2009) of a feline-only practice were searched for cats with degenerative joint disease (DJD) treated using meloxicam. DJD was diagnosed by the presence of at least two of the following: (i) altered mobility (observed by the owner), (ii) abnormal physical findings, (iii) characteristic radiographic changes. The primary study cohort consisted of cats older than 7 years that had received meloxicam for variable intervals in excess of 6 months, and for which complete records were available. These cats were subdivided according to whether detectable chronic kidney disease (CKD) was present ('renal group'), or not ('non-renal group'), and, for the 'renal group', according to the cat's IRIS category. Serum biochemistry, urinalysis (including urine specific gravity [USG]), body mass and condition score were monitored regularly. Progression of CKD in the 'renal group' and 'non-renal group' of cats was compared to two groups of age- and IRIS-matched control cats not receiving meloxicam (from the same clinic, over the same time period). The study was thus a case-control design, with two study groups. Thirty-eight cats with DJD receiving long-term meloxicam therapy met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 22 cats had stable CKD at the start of treatment (stage 1, eight cats; stage 2, 13 cats; stage 3, one cat). No cats initially had an elevated urinary protein to creatinine ratio. The remaining 16 cats initially had normal renal analytes and adequately concentrated urine. The median age of the 'renal' and 'non-renal' meloxicam groups was 15.5 and 13.4 years, respectively. The median treatment duration was 467 days in the 'renal group' and 327 days in the 'non-renal group'. After titration (to the lowest effective dose), the median maintenance dose was 0.02 mg/kg/day in both groups (range 0.015-0.033 mg/kg/day). There was no difference in sequential serum creatinine concentration or USG measurements between the 'non-renal group' treated with meloxicam compared to control cats not treated with meloxicam. There was less progression of renal disease in the 'renal group' treated with meloxicam compared to the age- and IRIS-matched cats with CKD not given meloxicam. These results suggest that a long-term maintenance dose of 0.02 mg/kg of meloxicam can be safely administered to cats older than 7 years even if they have CKD, provided their overall clinical status is stable. Long-term meloxicam therapy may slow the progression of renal disease in some cats s

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Case-Control Studies; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Kidney Function Tests; Male; Meloxicam; New South Wales; Osteoarthritis; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Retrospective Studies; Thiazines; Thiazoles

A case of hypertrophic osteopathy in a stray cat is reported. It was not known how long periosteal proliferation had been present prior to the time of first presentation. A few months later, megaoesophagus became apparent. Computer tomography was performed at least 18 months after periosteal proliferation had first become evident, but an underlying neoplasia was not identifed in association with the hypertrophic osteopathy. The hypertrophic osteopathy and the megaoesophagus were both successfully medically managed, and the cat continued to do well 33 months after the hypertrophic osteopathy was first evident.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Esophageal Achalasia; Male; Meloxicam; Ossification, Heterotopic; Radiography; Thiazines; Thiazoles

Topics: Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; Animals; Anthelmintics; Benzimidazoles; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dogs; Drug Therapy; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Humans; Meloxicam; Off-Label Use; Population Surveillance; Renal Insufficiency; Thiazines; Thiazoles; Triclabendazole; United Kingdom; Vaccination

The efficacy of a treatment combination of a COX-2 inhibitor (meloxicam), chemotherapy and surgery in 23 cats with histologically confirmed mammary gland adenocarcinoma was evaluated. All of the cases underwent an aggressive surgery with concurrent doxorubicin-based chemotherapy. Meloxicam was given orally starting the day after surgery and was continued indefinitely. Serum renal parameters were measured every 3-5 months. Three cats developed azotemia, whereas in four other renal parameters increased but remained within normal limit. The Kaplan-Meier median survival time was 460 days. The Kaplan-Meier median disease free interval was 269 days. The survival times are similar to other studies, not supporting the use of this treatment combination. Prospective studies with a higher number of cases are warranted to investigate the utility of this multimodality protocol for the treatment of feline mammary tumours.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; Female; Mammary Neoplasms, Animal; Meloxicam; Retrospective Studies; Thiazines; Thiazoles

This study describes the use of a simple questionnaire-based tool to identify behavioural/lifestyle changes that are associated with chronic pain in the cat. These changes were grouped into four behavioural domains (mobility, activity, grooming and temperament). Twenty-three cats with chronic musculoskeletal pain as determined by clinical examination were included. The owners of these cats were asked to complete a questionnaire before and 28 days after the start of analgesic treatment (meloxicam). This included a global assessment of changes in behaviour and assessment of the degree of behavioural change observed within each of the defined domains. The attending veterinary surgeon was independently asked to provide a global score before and after treatment. Both owners and veterinary surgeons reported significant changes in behaviour/lifestyle after analgesic therapy. There was no difference between the owners and veterinary surgeons global assessments at baseline but there was at day 28 (P=0.02). The owners' scores decreased from a median of 5 at baseline to 3 at 28 days (P=0.0004) while the median veterinary surgeon scores decreased from 5 to 2 at 28 days (P<0.0001). There was a statistically significant reduction in the owners' scores for each of the four domains with the greatest reduction occurring in the activity category (P=0.0001). This study shows that owner assessment of changes in their cat's behaviour/lifestyle is an important method of identifying chronic pain in their pets.

Topics: Analgesics; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Chronic Disease; Dogs; Female; Human-Animal Bond; Male; Meloxicam; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pain; Pain Measurement; Severity of Illness Index; Thiazines; Thiazoles; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

The sudden onset of unilateral blepharospasm and hyphema, without evidence of corneal damage, initiated a thorough diagnostic work-up of an 11-wk-old purpose-bred intact male domestic shorthair kitten. Secondary acute anterior uveitis and hyphema were most likely due to trauma within the primary enclosure.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Atropine; Blepharospasm; Cat Diseases; Cats; Drug Therapy, Combination; Hyphema; Male; Meloxicam; Mydriatics; Prednisolone; Thiazines; Thiazoles; Treatment Outcome; Uveitis, Anterior

This report explains typical radiographic features of Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia. Three Scottish Fold cats suffering from lameness were referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Seoul National University, Korea. Based on the breed predisposition, history, clinical signs, physical examination, and radiographic findings, Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia was confirmed in three cases. Radiographic changes mainly included exostosis and secondary arthritis around affected joint lesions, and defective conformation in the phalanges and caudal vertebrae. The oral chondroprotective agents such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate make the patients alleviate their pain without adverse effects.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Lameness, Animal; Meloxicam; Osteochondrodysplasias; Radiography; Thiazines; Thiazoles

The antipyretic efficacy of meloxicam was evaluated in a feline endotoxin model using a replicated change-over design. Twelve adult cats of both sexes were allocated at random to three experimental groups. At 30 min prior to the intravenous (i.v.) endotoxin challenge (0.5 microgram/kg body weight(b.w.)), 2 animals in each group received an i.v. injection of 0.1, 0.3 or 0.5 mg meloxicam/kg b.w. and the two remaining animals in each group received physiological saline. In a second phase, 21 days later, the meloxicam/placebo treatment was exchanged within each group. The rectal temperature and scores for general demeanour were determined at 30-min intervals from before dosing to 300 min after the endotoxin challenge. Haematological parameters were analysed before and 60 min after administration of endotoxin. The results indicated a significant dose-dependent antipyretic response to meloxicam after endotoxin challenge. The antipyretic response in the medium- and high-dose meloxicam groups did not differ significantly, but both were significantly different from the low-dosage group. The individual effects of endotoxin on general demeanour were rather variable but meloxicam tended to have a beneficial effect. Endotoxin induced a reduction in the white blood cell count but this was not influenced by meloxicam. It was concluded that the pyretic endotoxin model is very suitable for studying new NSAIDs in cats and that the optimum single dose of meloxicam in this model was 0.3 mg/kg b.w.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Behavior, Animal; Body Temperature; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cross-Over Studies; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endotoxins; Escherichia coli; Female; Fever; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Meloxicam; Thiazines; Thiazoles