Rabbits/Metacam dosage

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Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 7/2/2009


Question
My roommate and I have a bunch of rabbits that we adopted from various shelters in the area.  One of them is older, we think she's between 8-10 yrs.  She's becoming arthritic, we had to cut the front of her litter box so she could jump into it easier.  The vet has given us Metacam the past, but we are looking for a less expensive alternative. I've been looking into getting generic meloxicam from Canada, but I only see it in pill form.  My roommate asked the doc if Metacam came in pill form and she said it didn't, so I'm confused.    She doesn't like the liquid, we have to fight with her to get her to take it.  Smashing up a pill and putting in her food would be much easier... Are the pills the same thing as the oral suspension?  If so, what would the dosage be?

We're also going to try giving her glucosamine chondroitin, but we haven't started that yet.  Hopefully, we'll get my lil girl some relief!

Looking forward to your reply!  

Answer
Dear Cathy,

Meloxicam is the generic form of metacam, but I'm not aware of a pill form in the U.S.  It's weird that your bunny doesn't like it:  all ours love that honey-flavored oral suspension!

If your vet is willing to write you a prescription for pills, then you might be able to crush up the pills and make an unflavored suspension that can be mixed with a treat.  But you'll have to give it all at once to get the proper dose.  The dose our vet uses is 0.1-0.3mg/kg once every 24 hours.  But be sure to do this only under veterinary supervision.

Hope the glucosamine works for her.  Some people swear by it.

Good luck!
Dana

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Dana Krempels, Ph.D.

Expertise

I've lived with companion rabbits for more than 35 years, and consider them members of my family. I can answer any questions about the biology and health of rabbits, from the commonplace to the unusual. But please note:

RULE #1:
THE INTERNET IS NOT THE PLACE TO SEEK HELP IN AN EMERGENCY.

...it is an EMERGENCY.

Find a rabbit vet at www.rabbit.org/vets for immediate help, and don't risk your bunny's life by spending time asking questions online! If you can't get in touch with your vet, read these Emergency Sick Bunny Instructions.

If you have found a wild baby rabbit, please read these EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS FOR WILD BABY RABBITS and then use this link to FIND A LOCAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR who can give you the right advice.

RULE #2:
Help me help you! Please make your subject line informative if you have an urgent question. then LET ME KNOW IN THE SUBJECT LINE so I can give your question highest priority over non-urgent questions. If you don't do this, then I can't guarantee timely assistance!

For all the best, most accurate rabbit health, care and behavior information, visit The House Rabbit Society.

Experience

I have been rescuing domestic and wild rabbits for more than 25 years. I have written articles for many rabbit rescue publications, as well as for the veterinary journal, Exotic DVM. I own EtherBun, the internet's largest listserve dedicated to health, care, and behavior of domestic rabbits.

Organizations
Houserabbit Adoption, Rescue, and Education, Inc. (H.A.R.E., Inc.) president National House Rabbit Society (Board member)

Publications
Exotic DVM
Warren Peace (Journal of the House Rabbit Society of Miami)
Various newsletters of the House Rabbit Society, nationwide

Education/Credentials
Ph.D - Biology
B.S. - Biology
B.A. - English

Awards and Honors
Lightspan Academic Excellence Award for web site on rabbit health and biology
(http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare)

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