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Meloxicam for Sheep

Meloxicam is used in sheep for Acute pain, castration, Chronic osteoarthritis (long-term), dental pain. Routes documented in sheep: PO, SC, IV. ExoticRx tracks Meloxicam dosing for sheep from primary veterinary literature; sign in to view the full rule set. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Trade names: Metacam

Dose rules — sign in to view

Cited dose rules for Meloxicam in sheep are available with a free ExoticRx account. Each row carries the route, dose range, frequency, indication, evidence level, and primary-source citation.

Sources include: Carpenter 6e; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed; ExoticRx 2026 (chinchilla dosing guide); Carpenter 6e; …

Mechanism of action

Preferential COX-2 inhibitor, reducing prostaglandin synthesis. Provides anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects.

Side effects & warnings

Use with extreme caution in cats (single SC dose labeled; repeated oral use controversial). GI ulceration risk. Avoid in dehydrated, hypovolemic, or renally compromised patients. Do not combine with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids.

Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for sheep may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.

Why a species-specific page? Meloxicam pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in sheep — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.

Sourced from primary literature; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.