Metacam (meloxicam)

Recognizing and treating canine osteoarthritis (OA) pain

Keeping your dog in the prime of life.

As your dog ages, various health problems can arise. Sometimes the problems are very serious and require immediate veterinary attention, while others may go unnoticed or develop slowly enough for your dog to adapt to them.

The good news is that medical care of the problems associated with old age has advanced rapidly in recent years. One of these advances has been in the treatment of arthritis. METACAM is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat the pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis. The development of METACAM has enabled dogs worldwide to live longer and more comfortable lives.

Is your dog at risk of developing osteoarthritis?

One of the most common causes of impaired mobility is arthritis. Arthritis is an inflammatory condition causing degeneration of the joints. As arthritis worsens, movement becomes increasingly more painful for dogs. Bones and joints most commonly affected are the hips, knees, elbows, shoulders and spine.

Factors that contribute to the development of arthritis include:

- Injury
- Obesity
- Normal aging
- Excessive physical activity
- Inherited developmental abnormalities of the bones and joints

Recognizing pain can be difficult.

Learning to recognize the signs of pain is the first step in treatment for your arthritic dog. Individual dogs exhibit pain differently. Often they try to hide their pain, and seldom complain until they are in extreme discomfort. Early treatment of pain and inflammation helps control the progression of arthritis and allows your dog to remain comfortable longer.

Signs of pain include:

- Behavioral changes
- Reduced appetite
- Reluctance to walk or play
- Difficulty standing up or climbing stairs
- Sensitive to touch on the back or legs
- Stiffness, limping or lagging behind
- Limitation of movement
- Frequent yelping or whimpering

The team METACAM, your veterinarian, your pet and you.

It is important to remember that arthritis is a disease that cannot be cured, only managed. Daily treatment with METACAM helps to control the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.

Keeping this in mind, METACAM is one part of the solution. Work with your veterinarian to help you determine the best ways to manage your dog's arthritis.

These may include:

- Developing an appropriate exercise program.
- Controlling your dog's weight through diet.
- Ensuring a comfortable living environment.
- Managing concurrent medical problems.
- Discussing additional physical therapy options.
- Tender loving care!

Don't let your dog over-do it!

Once you administer METACAM you may notice an increase in your dog's activity level due to the alleviation of pain.

At the same time, it is important to take into account your dog's ongoing condition. Even if your dog wants to chase a ball or play frisbee it may be better to avoid such energetic activities.

Please keep the following in mind:

- Your dog may have lost muscle tone with inactivity due to pain from arthritis. Exercise must be increased slowly in order to rebuild muscle mass.
- Frequent, gentle walks will help improve mobility and strength.
- Walk your dog only on a leash.

METACAM Oral Suspension an easy solution for pain.

No Pilling METACAM is a palatable honey flavored liquid that can be dispensed directly onto your dog's food.

Accurate, Exact Dosing - the liquid dosing format allows your veterinarian to prescribe an appropriate dose to treat your dog's exact needs.

How easy is it to use METACAM?
This easy:

1.		Shake the bottle. Remove the cap and attach the dosing dispenser to the top of the bottle.
2.		Turn the bottle and dispenser upside down. Pull the plunger out until the black line is even with the dog's weight in pounds.
3.		Turn the bottle right side up. Twist to separate the dispenser from the bottle. (For dogs under 10 lbs., apply 1 drop per lb. directly from bottle onto food.)
4.		Push the plunger to empty the dispenser onto your dog's food. Or right into his mouth! For dogs under 10 lbs., administer only onto the food.

Your Veterinarian May Use
The METACAM
Pain Management System




Easy once-a-day dosing

Lean Body Weight: It is important to determine if your dog is at its ideal weight. Please discuss this with your veterinarian as the dosage of METACAM may need to be adjusted accordingly.

For Small Dogs: The METACAM bottle has a calibrated dropper tip. Administer one drop per pound of body weight onto your dog's food directly from the bottle tip per your veterinarian's instructions.

For Large Dogs: Use the syringe supplied with the METACAM bottle. This syringe fits directly onto the METACAM bottle and is calibrated in pounds. Draw up the appropriate amount of METACAM into the syringe, based on your dog's body weight and dispense onto your dog's food.

Shake well before administering medication.