If your dog has a acute or even chronic disease of musculoskeletal system may well be that your vet gave you the medication Melosus to take with you.
But in which areas is Melosus used in dogs, what is the right dosage and what side effects can occur?
This and other important information about the drug Melosus can be found in this article.
In a nutshell: What is Melosus and what is it used for?
Melosus is a prescription veterinary medicine the nonsteroidal group anti-inflammatory drugs with the active ingredient meloxicamwhich is used in dogs to relieve pain and inflammation associated with both chronic and acute musculoskeletal (musculoskeletal) disorders.
Melosus is only available as a suspension (poorly soluble liquid).
What is the effect of Melosus on dogs?
The meloxicam contained in Melosus prevents the production of pro-inflammatory tissue hormones.
It works anti-inflammatory, pain relieving, antipyretic and decreases fluid secretion from blood vessels in inflammation.
The right dosage of Melosus for dogs
Melosus is only available as a suspension and is administered orally.
At the first day begins the initial treatment with a dose of 0.2 mg meloxicam per kg Body weight.
For daily follow-up treatment, a maintenance dose of 0.1 mg Meloxicam administered orally per kg body weight.
The dosage can be calculated precisely when the syringe is opened using the scale in kg of body weight that can be seen on the dosing syringe.
Melosus can be mixed with feed for ease of use.
The exact dosage and shaking before administration is important.
The syringe must be cleaned after each dose. To avoid contamination, the syringe should only be used for administering medication.
Important information for the user:
If there is a known hypersensitivity or allergy to NSAIDs, care should be taken to avoid any contact with the drug
How often and for how long can I give my dog Melosus?
Melosus is given once a day at 25-hour intervals.
Within 3 to 4 days should be a visible improvement to be seen of the symptoms.
If the clinical condition does not improve over the next few days, treatment with Melosus should be discontinued after 10 days at the latest.
Melosus is considered only in consultation with the veterinarian permanent medication suitable.
Areas of application of Melosus for dogs
Melosus is used in dogs that have acute or chronic disorders involving the muscles and skeleton.
These include diseases such as:
- joint diseases
- patellar dislocation
- disc prolapse
- OCD – osteochondrosis dissecans
- arthrosis
What side effects does Melosus have?
The side effects during treatment with Melosus generally occur in the first week of treatment.
The typical side effects of Melosus are:
Occult blood in dog faeces, apathy and kidney failure have been reported in individual cases.
In very rare cases, bloody vomiting, bloody diarrhea, internal bleeding and an increase in liver enzymes have been reported.
The side effects of Melosus are rarely serious or life-threatening.
If side effects occur during treatment, treatment should be discontinued and the veterinarian consulted.
If side effects occur during treatment with Melosus that are not listed on the package insert, the treatment must be stopped immediately and the veterinarian contacted.
When should Melosus not be used?
Melosus may not at suckling or pregnant bitches or at Puppies under 6 weeks be applied.
dogs with gastrointestinal disorders or malfunctions from heart, liver or kidney must not be treated with Melosus.
Melosus is not allowed to blood clotting disorders, dehydrated or weaken blood pressure be used on dogs. There is a risk of increased kidney toxicity.
Where is Melosus for dogs available?
Melosus cannot be bought without a prescription.
Melosus is available in the veterinary practice or with a prescription in the pharmacy.
Experiences with Melosus: What do other dog owners say?
Melosus for dogs is not as well known, as Metacam is more commonly administered.
One of the few relevant posts on dog forums was from a dog owner who had to give her dog Melosus for 3 weeks.
A week after stopping the medication, she noticed that her dog was losing hair. Probably so strong that the fur fell out in tufts.
It is difficult to make a connection to the treatment with Melsosus and the hair loss from a forum entry.
Another post can also be found in which increased heartburn and belching in dogs was pointed out.
There are also reports of an allergic reaction, which is said to have occurred about 30 minutes after the first dose of Melosus. This was a Chihuahua with swelling all over.
The allergic reaction was treated by the treating veterinarian and proceeded without complications.
In osteoarthritis dogs, there are mainly success stories.
Conclusion
Melosus is an anti-pain and anti-inflammatory drug that is not yet widely used in the canine world.
According to my research, it is a good alternative to Metacam because the side effects are limited.
Does your dog have experience with Melosus? Let us be part of it with a comment!