Key takeaways

  • Meloxicam is a generic prescription drug approved for pain relief in certain animals, including dogs.
  • Meloxicam belongs to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS) drug class.
  • You may be able to save on the cost of the drug with a savings program.

Meloxicam is used to to relieve or reduce pain in certain animals, including dogs. It is most often prescribed for arthritis pain, but it could be used for other types of pain your pet may experience as well. It is a safer NSAID for your pet than over-the-counter pain relievers because it’s less likely to cause gastrointestinal (GI) side effects.

Meloxicam works be decreasing a certain chemical in your pet’s body called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX 2) inhibitor, an enzyme that’s responsible for pain and inflammation. Blocking COX 2 leads to less of the enzyme in the body, which helps reduce your pet’s pain.

Your veterinarian will prescribe the right dose for you dog.

Pet medications

This article provides information about medications for pets. Do not use human medications for pets, or pet medications for humans, as dosages, strengths, and ingredients may be different and can lead to serious harm. Always use medications under the guidance of a licensed veterinarian or doctor.

Meloxicam may cause mild to serious side effects in dogs. Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your dog’s age
  • other health conditions they have
  • other medications they take

Your veterinarian can tell you more about the potential side effects of meloxicam. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

The following lists contain some potential side effects meloxicam may cause:

Side effects of meloxicam that have been reported include:

  • GI side effects, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite
  • liver problems
  • decreased kidney function

Your veterinarian will likely check your pet’s liver and kidney function before prescribing meloxicam. If they prescribe meloxicam long-term, they will continue to monitor your pet throughout treatment.

If your pet develops GI side effects, stop the medication and speak with your veterinarian.

Typically, dogs are not covered under your personal or family health insurance plan. However, if you have pet insurance, it may cover a part or all of your dog’s medication.

To find out if your pet insurance covers your dog’s medication, talk with an insurance representative.

If you don’t have pet insurance, you may need to pay out of pocket for your dog’s medication. Coupons, such as those available at Optum Perks, may be able to help lower the cost of meloxicam. (Note: Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline.)

For the best price on your pet’s prescription, you may also want to compare pharmacies. The price of meloxicam may vary depending on which pharmacy you use, so it can help to compare prices across pharmacies to find the lowest cost.

Your veterinarian may prescribe meloxicam to relieve your pet’s pain. It may cause certain side effects, so your vet will monitor your pet during treatment. You may be able to save on the cost of the drug through pet insurance (if you have it), coupons, and pharmacy comparisons.