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POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Meloxicam-Boehringer 0.5 mg/ml Oral Suspension for Cats and Guinea Pigs

Active ingredient: Meloxicam

Form

Liquid

Species

Cats Guinea pig

Manufacturer

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Limited

VMD MA No.

08327/5040

What it's used for

Alleviation of pain and inflammation in acute and chronic musculo-skeletal disorders in cats. Guinea pigs: Alleviation of mild to moderate post-operative p...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓
View official SPC (PDF)

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Paying less for Meloxicam

  1. 1

    Ask your vet for a written prescription

    They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.

  2. 2

    Fill it at a registered online retailer

    The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

Prescription required

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Clinical information

Meloxicam-Boehringer 0.5 mg/ml Oral Suspension for Cats and Guinea Pigs — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.

Alleviation of pain and inflammation in acute and chronic musculo-skeletal disorders
in cats.
Guinea pigs:
Alleviation of mild to moderate post-operative pain associated with soft tissue
surgery such as male castration.
Cats:
Post-operative pain and inflammation following surgical procedures:
After initial treatment with Metacam solution for injection with a starting dosage of 0.2
mg/kg, continue treatment 24 hours later with Meloxicam-Boehringer 0.5 mg/ml oral
suspension for cats and guinea pigs at a dosage of 0.05 mg meloxicam/kg body
weight. The oral follow-up dose may be administered once daily (at 24-hour
intervals) for up to four days.
Acute musculo-skeletal disorders:
Initial treatment is a single oral dose of 0.2 mg meloxicam/kg body weight on the first
day. Treatment is to be continued once daily by oral administration (at 24-hour
intervals) at a dose of 0.05 mg meloxicam/kg body weight for as long as acute pain
and inflammation persist.
Chronic musculo-skeletal disorders:
Initial treatment is a single oral dose of 0.1 mg meloxicam/kg body weight on the first
day. Treatment is to be continued once daily by oral administration (at 24-hour
intervals) at a maintenance dose of 0.05 mg meloxicam/kg body weight. A clinical
response is normally seen within 7 days. Treatment should be discontinued after 14
days at the latest if no clinical improvement is apparent.
Dosing procedure using the drop dispenser of the bottle:
Dose of 0.2 mg meloxicam/kg body weight: 12 drops/kg body weight
Dose of 0.1 mg meloxicam/kg body weight: 6 drops/kg body weight
Dose of 0.05 mg meloxicam/kg body weight: 3 drops/kg body weight.
Dosing procedure using the measuring syringe:
The syringe fits onto the drop dispenser of the bottle and has a kg-body weight scale
which corresponds to dose of 0.05 mg meloxicam/kg body weight. Thus for initiation
of the treatment of chronic musculo-skeletal disorders on the first day, twice the
maintenance volume will be required. For initiation of the treatment of acute
musculo-skeletal disorders on the first day, 4 times the maintenance volume will be
required.
To be administered orally either mixed with food or directly into the mouth.
The suspension can be given using the drop dispenser of the bottle for cats of any
body weight. Alternatively and for cats with a body weight of at least 2 kg, the
measuring syringe provided in the package can be used.
The recommended dose should not be exceeded.
Guinea pigs:
Post-operative pain associated with soft tissue surgery:
Initial treatment is a single oral dose of 0.2 mg meloxicam/kg body weight on day 1
(pre-surgery). Treatment is to be continued once daily by oral administration (at 24-
hours intervals) at a dose of 0.1 mg meloxicam/kg body weight on day 2 to day 3
(post-surgery).
AN: 00184/2024Page 5 of 8
The dose can, at the discretion of the veterinarian, be titrated up to 0.5 mg/kg in
individual cases. The safety of doses exceeding 0.6 mg/kg has, however, not been
evaluated in guinea pigs.
The suspension should be given directly into the mouth using a standard 1 ml
syringe graduated with ml scale and 0.01 ml increments.
Dose of 0.2 mg meloxicam/kg body weight: 0.4 ml/kg body weight
Dose of 0.1 mg meloxicam/kg body weight: 0.2 ml/kg body weight
Use a small container (e.g. a teaspoon) and drop the veterinary medicinal product
into the container (it is advised to dispense a few drops more than required into the
small container). Use a standard 1 ml syringe to draw up the veterinary medicinal
product according to the bodyweight of the guinea pig. Administer the veterinary
medicinal product with the syringe directly into the mouth of the guinea pig. Wash the
small container with water and dry prior to the next use.
Do not use the cat syringe with the kg-body weight scale and the cat pictogram for
guinea pigs.
Particular care should be taken with regard to the accuracy of dosing. To ensure a
correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible. The
use of suitably calibrated measuring equipment is recommended. Shake well before
use.
Avoid introduction of contamination during use.
Do not use in cats suffering from gastrointestinal disorders such as irritation or
haemorrhage, impaired hepatic, cardiac or renal function and haemorrhagic
disorders.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the
excipients.
Do not use in cats less than 6 weeks of age.
Do not use in guinea pigs less than 4 weeks of age.
Cats:
Very rare
(< 1 animal in 10,000 animals
treated, including isolated reports).
Appetite loss
, lethargy
Vomiting
, diarrhoea
, blood in faeces
1,2
,
haemorrhagic diarrhoea
, haematemesis
,
gastric ulcer
, small intestine ulcer
Elevated liver enzymes
Renal failure
1
These adverse events occur generally within the first treatment week and are in
most cases transient and disappear following termination of the treatment but in
very rare cases may be serious or fatal.
Occult.
Guinea pigs: None
If adverse reactions occur, treatment should be discontinued and the advice of a
veterinarian should be sought.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a
veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian,
to either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national
competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for
respective contact details.
None.

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
Avoid use in any dehydrated, hypovolaemic or hypotensive animal, as there is a
potential risk of renal toxicity.
Post-operative use in cats and guinea pigs:
In case additional pain relief is required, multimodal pain therapy should be
considered.
Chronic musculoskeletal disorders in cats:
Response to long-term therapy should be monitored at regular intervals by a
veterinary surgeon.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals:
People with known hypersensitivity to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product.
In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the
package leaflet or the label to the physician.
This veterinary medicinal product can cause eye irritation. In case of contact with the
eyes, immediately rinse thoroughly with water.
AN: 00184/2024Page 3 of 8
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.
Other NSAIDs, diuretics, anticoagulant, aminoglycoside antibiotics and substances
with high protein binding may compete for binding and thus lead to toxic effects. The
veterinary medicinal product must not be administered in conjunction with other
NSAIDs or glucocorticosteroids. Concurrent administration of potential nephrotoxic
drugs should be avoided.
In cats, pre-treatment with anti-inflammatory substances other than Metacam
solution for injection at a single dose of 0.2 mg/kg may result in additional or
increased adverse effects and accordingly a treatment-free period with such
veterinary medicinal products should be observed for at least 24 hours before
commencement of treatment. The treatment-free period, however, should take into
account the pharmacological properties of the products used previously.
AN: 00184/2024Page 4 of 8
This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Not applicable.
AN: 00184/2024Page 6 of 8

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.

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