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Inflacam

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Inflacam for Dogs and Cats

Formulation

Liquid / tablets

Active ingredient

Meloxicam

Category

Pain relief / anti-inflammatory

What is Inflacam?

Inflacam is the brand name for meloxicam (a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) manufactured and marketed by Virbac. It’s an anti-inflammatory and pain relief, similar to human ibuprofen (but much less dangerous for pets).

What does Inflacam do?

Inflacam works by calming the inflammatory response within your pet’s body. It achieves this by targeting a specific enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX), which turns a substance named arachidonic acid into prostaglandin H2. This prostaglandin H2 plays a key role in inflammation, leading to pain and swelling in your pet. By blocking COX, Inflacam prevents the production of these prostaglandins and therefore inflammation.

Inflacam primarily works on COX-2, not COX-1. This is important because COX-2 is primarily responsible for pain and inflammation. On the other hand, COX-1 is another form of the enzyme that plays a bigger role in keeping your pet’s stomach and kidneys healthy. This targeted approach makes Inflacam a valuable tool for managing pain and inflammation in pets, while minimizing the potential for side effects sometimes seen with other medications.

What is the drug Inflacam used for?

Inflacam is often used as a first-line medication for anywhere your pet might be experiencing pain and inflammation. It’s particularly helpful in:

  • Arthritis Management: For pets with arthritis, Inflacam can reduce joint pain and inflammation. This helps them stay comfortable and allows them more freedom of movement.
  • Post-Surgery Recovery: Pain and inflammation are natural side-effects of surgery. But inflammation can start to impact healing. Inflacam helps manage post-surgical pain and reduces inflammation, allowing faster healing.
  • Dental Pain: Inflacam is also used to relieve pain associated with dental procedures (like dental surgery) or dental diseases.

There are lots of other situations where your vet may decide that Inflacam is the best option for your pet.

What are the side effects of Inflacam?

Like all medications, Inflacam can have side effects. These are generally rare when the drug is used properly. However, it’s worth being aware of these Inflacam side effects:

  • Gastrointestinal issues: Some dogs might experience symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, or a loss of appetite. Bloody diarrhoea is an uncommon side effect of Inflacam.
  • Liver and kidney problems: Although Inflacam works mainly on COX-2, it can still impact COX-1 and the prostaglandins that are important for kidney health. In rare cases, liver or kidney function can be impacted. Your vet might recommend regular blood tests to monitor these organs, especially if Inflacam is used long-term.
  • Changes in behaviour: Keep an eye out for any unusual changes in your dog’s behaviour or activity levels. For example, they might seem more tired than usual or less interested in things they usually enjoy.
  • Allergic reactions: It’s rare for dogs or cats to have allergic reactions to medication. However, it’s worth watching for skin irritations, itching, or swelling, especially around the face.

Remember, this list doesn’t include all possible side effects, and most pets won’t experience any of these. However, if you notice any side effects or if your cat or dog still seems uncomfortable after taking Inflacam, it’s always best to contact your vet right away.

As a pet owner, you can also report a suspected side effect to the VMD if you think Inflacam caused problems for your pet. Or, read our article for more advice about reporting suspected pet drug side effects to the VMD.

How to give Inflacam safely

There are a few things you can do at home to reduce the risk of side effects from Inflacam in your pet:

  1. Follow vet instructions: Always use Inflacam exactly as your vet has prescribed. This includes the right dose and frequency. Never adjust the dose on your own, even if your dog or cat seems to be feeling better or worse. If you aren’t sure of the dose prescribed, please call your vet to confirm.
  2. Only use the syringe provided: If using the liquid product, be aware that the Inflacam syringe is not a normal ml syringe. It’s a specially-made syringe where the numbers on the side correspond to your pet’s weight. This means that the ‘5’ on the syringe is for 5kg, not 5mls.
    If you lose the syringe that comes with the Inflacam, call your vet and arrange to get a spare. Do not use a syringe from a different brand or product as this could lead to the wrong dose being given.
  3. Shake the bottle: Liquid Inflacam is a suspension. This means the drug may settle over time and become uneven in the bottle. Make sure you shake it before drawing up the dose.
  4. Give with or after food: It’s safest to give Inflacam on a full stomach. You can either put it on your pet’s food or syringe it directly into their mouth after they’ve eaten. If using the tablet version of Inflacam, it can be put directly into the mouth or given as a treat after some food has been eaten.
  5. Check with your vet if giving anything else: Your vet should be aware of other drugs your pet is on, but it’s always worth double-checking in case there’s been a miscommunication somewhere. If your dog is on supplements or non-prescription treatments you should also tell your vet when they prescribe Inflacam, as they may not be suitable to be given together.
  6. Report any accidental overdose to your vet immediately: If you have mistakenly given too much Inflacam, report it to your vet as soon as you realise the error. They may recommend blood tests, intravenous fluids, or monitoring, depending on the severity of the overdose.

Inflacam FAQs

What is the difference between Inflacam and Metacam?

Inflacam and Metacam are two different brand names for the same active ingredient, meloxicam.
Inflacam is a liquid and chewable tablet version of meloxicam marketed by Virbac.
Metacam is a liquid and chewable tablet version of meloxicam marketed by Boehringer Ingleheim.

Does Inflacam make dogs sleepy?

Sleepiness isn’t a described side effect of Inflacam, but behavioural changes are anecdotally reported by pet owners. If you notice sleepiness after giving your dog Inflacam, you should monitor them, and mention it to your vet.

Is Inflacam a painkiller?

Inflacam is in a category of drugs called NSAIDs, or ‘Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs’. It prevents inflammation, and in so doing reduces pain. It’s licensed to reduce pain and inflammation for a number of conditions, especially musculo-skeletal ones like arthritis.

How old does my dog have to be to use Inflacam?

Inflacam is not licensed for dogs less than 6 weeks of age. However, vets may decide to prescribe or use Inflacam in younger pets based on a risk-benefit analysis.

What are Inflacam Alternatives?

Inflacam contains the active ingredient meloxicam, so a direct alternative would be any other meloxicam products for dogs, including:

However, if your dog is struggling with the side effects of Inflacam, or it isn’t working for them, your vet might suggest a different NSAID, such as:

They may even suggest using other pain-relieving drugs such as Gabapentin or paracetamol (Pardale-V) alongside or instead of the NSAIDs.

All of these drug options are prescription-only medications, which means that your vet will need to prescribe them to you. If you think Inflacam isn’t working for your pet any longer, you should book an appointment to discuss your pet’s pain with your vet.

Inflacam Datasheet

All drugs have a manufacturer’s datasheet, which gives information about the drug’s use and possible side effects. There is usually one in your Inflacam box, but if you have lost it you can click on the button below to be taken on an online version.

Inflacam for Dogs Datasheet (Liquid)
Inflacam for Dogs Datasheet (Tablets)

Courses related to Inflacam

Please note that the information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only. Although it has been written by a vet, we cannot consider the individual nature of your pet’s problems so it does not constitute veterinary advice. If you have questions about your pet’s medication or their health you should contact a vet, who will be able to help.

Dr Joanna Woodnutt BVM BVS BVMedSci MRCVS
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