Loxicom for Dogs and Cats
Formulation
Oral liquid
Active ingredient
Meloxicam
Category
Pain relief / anti-inflammatory
What is Loxicom?
Loxicom is a brand name for a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) called meloxicam. It’s commonly used as a pain relief and anti-inflammatory.
What does Loxicom do?
Loxicom is a medication that helps manage pain and inflammation in your pet’s body. It works by targeting a specific substance called COX-2, which plays a major role in creating these painful and uncomfortable symptoms. COX-2 is like a switch that, when turned on, sends signals leading to inflammation. Loxicom simply flips this switch to “off,” stopping those signals and reducing the amount of inflammation.
But what makes Loxicom special is that it leaves another important switch called COX-1 alone. This one is responsible for important tasks like keeping your pet’s stomach and kidneys healthy. By only affecting COX-2, Loxicom helps manage pain and inflammation while minimizing the chances of side effects compared to some other medications which might upset these crucial bodily functions.
What is Loxicom for?
Loxicom is a frequently recommended medication for various circumstances where your pet might be struggling with pain and inflammation. Here are some situations where it can be particularly helpful:
- Arthritis Relief: For furry friends, especially seniors, suffering from arthritis, Loxicom can be a game-changer. It helps ease joint pain and swelling, making their daily movements less painful and more enjoyable.
- Post-Surgery Comfort: Surgery often involves pain and inflammation. Loxicom steps in to manage this discomfort and reduce inflammation, promoting a smoother and more comfortable recovery for your pet.
- Injury Recovery: Whether it’s a wound, a sprain, or another ouch, Loxicom effectively alleviates the associated pain and inflammation, allowing your pet to heal faster and with less distress.
- Dental Pain: Dental procedures and oral issues can be painful. Loxicom helps ease discomfort and promote healing, ensuring your pet’s mouth recovers without too much suffering.
These are just a few examples, and your veterinarian may find Loxicom beneficial in several other situations where your pet needs pain and inflammation control. Remember, Loxicom should only be administered under veterinary guidance, so ensure you consult your vet to determine if it’s the right choice for your furry friend.
What are the possible side effects with Loxicom?
It’s important to remember that, like all medications, Loxicom can have side effects, though they’re usually rare when used as directed by your veterinarian. While most pets tolerate it well, here are some potential side effects to be aware of:
- Digestive Upsets: Some dogs might experience mild stomach issues like vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. These usually resolve quickly after stopping the medication.
- Liver and Kidney Problems: In rare cases, Loxicom might affect liver or kidney function. Your veterinarian may recommend regular blood tests to monitor these organs, especially if your pet is on long-term therapy.
- Behavioral Changes: Be mindful of any unusual changes in your dog’s behavior or activity levels. They might seem more tired than usual, less playful, or have a decreased interest in activities they normally enjoy.
- Allergic Reactions: Though uncommon, allergic reactions can occur. Keep an eye out for signs like skin irritation, itching, or swelling, especially around the face.
Most pets won’t experience any side effects. However, this list isn’t exhaustive so if you notice anything concerning or your dog seems uncomfortable after taking Loxicom, always contact your vet for advice.
As a pet owner, you can also report a suspected side effect to the VMD if you think Loxicom 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 Loxicom safely
There are a few things you can do at home to reduce the risk of side effects from Loxicom in your pet:
- Follow vet instructions: Always use Loxicom 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.
- Only use the syringe provided: If using the liquid product, be aware that the Loxicom syringe is not a normal ml syringe. For ease of dosing, 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 Loxicom, 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.
- Shake the bottle: Loxicom is a suspension, and the drug may settle over time and become uneven in the bottle. Make sure you shake it before drawing up the dose.
- Give with or after food: It’s safest to give Loxicom 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.
- Avoid contact with eyes: Loxicom can cause eye irritation. If you accidentally get Loxicom in your eyes or the eyes of your pet, immediately rinse thoroughly with water.
- 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 Loxicom, as they may not be suitable to be given together.
- Report any accidental overdose to your vet immediately: If you have mistakenly given too much Loxicom, 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.
How much monitoring do pets need on Loxicom?
Moderate
Pets on long-term Loxicom need 6-12 monthly blood tests
If Loxicom is to be used for less than a week or two, post-surgery or acute injury, your vet is unlikely to monitor your pet any more than they would have done for the initial condition. If your pet needs Loxicom long-term, for example for arthritis, your vet will normally recommend blood tests every 6-12 months to watch out for liver or kidney problems developing.
What does Loxicom cost?
£ – Relatively inexpensive
Loxicom costs £10-40 per month
The cost of Loxicom depends on the type of pet you have (cat vs dog) as well as their size. A small dog or cat on long-term Loxicom might cost less than £10 per month, not including dispensing, postage, or prescription fees. A large dog would need a larger bottle of Loxicom (they come in 10ml, 32ml and 100ml bottles), but it’s still not likely to cost much over £40.
Loxicom FAQs
Is Loxicom the same as Metacam?
Yes, Loxicom and Metacam are both brand names of the drug meloxicam. They contain the same active ingredients, but minor differences in the other ingredients. Most pets who are on one can be swapped to the other, but you should check with your vet first, and there may need to be a ‘wash out’ period between them.
How long can you give a dog Loxicom for?
Unlike some other pain meds, there’s no fixed upper limit to how long Loxicom can be safely used. However, it’s important to note that the risk of side effects increases the longer your pet takes it, especially after a few days.
Therefore, vets typically recommend regular blood tests for pets on long-term Loxicom therapy. These tests help monitor kidney and liver function, which can be affected by the medication in some cases. For most pets, the benefits of a pain-free life on Loxicom are worth the rare risk of side effects.
Is Loxicom a strong painkiller?
Loxicom is a reasonable first-line painkiller for lots of conditions in pets, and its anti-inflammatory effects are also very useful. It’s not as strong as some other painkillers, like opioids. In most cases, a combination of painkillers, including Loxicom or another NSAID, will produce better pain relief than any one drug alone.
Does Loxicom work immediately?
Loxicom usually starts working within a couple of hours. If you don’t notice an improvement after four hours, you should talk to your vet about getting another pain relief for your pet. For some types of pain, it’s best to use multiple pain relief drugs in combination.
Loxicom Alternatives
Loxicom is a liquid form of meloxicam and is generally easy for dogs and cats to take. However, if you are struggling, there are other formulations of meloxicam for pets including:
- Metacam (comes in chewable tablet form as well as in liquid)
- Inflacam (comes in chewable tablet form as well as in liquid)
- Rheumocam (comes in chewable tablet form as well as in liquid)
(Please note, chewable tablets are not used in cats)
If your cat or dog is struggling with the side effects of Loxicom, your vet might recommend changing to another NSAID with a different active ingredient. For cats, the only licensed alternative is Onsior. For dogs, there are lots of options such as:
- Carprofen (Rimadyl, Dolagis)
- Firocoxib (Previcox)
- Cimicoxib (Cimalgex)
- Grapiprant (Galliprant)
- Robenacoxib (Onsior)
Your vet may even recommend you stop using NSAIDs altogether, or add in another type of medication to help control your pet’s pain (multi-modal pain relief).
As these are all prescription products, you need to talk to your vet about your problems, and they will be able to prescribe a Loxicom alternative if necessary.
Loxicom 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 Loxicom box, but if you have lost it you can click on the button(s) below to be taken on an online version.
Please note that there are three Loxicom datasheets – check your medication to find the correct one for your pet
More help for painful pets
If your dog or cat is on Loxicom, you might be interested in learning more about their condition with our interactive, vet-written courses. Each one of our courses has been carefully written by qualified vets and e-learning specialists, and you have access to it – including all updates – for the rest of your pets’ life.
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.
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