Metacam® Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats

Metacam Solution for Injection is a veterinary NSAID for dogs and cats. It helps manage pain and inflammation related to surgery or joint conditions. You can access it with US shipping from Canada, even if you plan to pay without insurance.

What Metacam Is and How It Works

Metacam® contains meloxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine used in animals. This class reduces prostaglandins that drive swelling, heat, and discomfort. As a meloxicam injectable solution, it provides rapid onset in clinic, then often transitions to an oral plan when appropriate.

Border Free Health connects U.S. patients with licensed Canadian partner pharmacies; prescriptions are verified with prescribers before dispensing.

This medicine is commonly used around orthopedic procedures or for osteoarthritis care. It targets cyclooxygenase activity, which can help reduce joint pain and improve mobility. Your veterinarian may give the injection before moving to an oral suspension for ongoing support.

Who It’s For

This treatment is for dogs and cats needing short-term pain control or the start of an osteoarthritis plan. The first dose is administered by a veterinarian. Metacam injectable for dogs is widely used for musculoskeletal pain and perioperative support. Cats may receive a single injection when indicated; repeat dosing in cats is restricted on some labels. Animals with active bleeding, GI ulcers, advanced kidney disease, or known NSAID allergy should avoid this therapy.

Dosage and Usage

Dosing and route are determined by your veterinarian based on species, weight, and indication. A typical approach uses an initial in-clinic injection and, when appropriate, a transition to oral maintenance under supervision. A Meloxicam 5 mg/ml injection is administered subcutaneously or intravenously by a professional only. Do not give additional NSAIDs at home unless the prescriber instructs it. Follow the official label for species-specific dosing limits, especially in cats.

Administration tips at the clinic:

• Pre-dose assessment: hydration, appetite, and recent NSAID or steroid use
• Injection site: given by a professional with sterile technique
• Monitoring: watch for vomiting, diarrhea, or reduced appetite after dosing
• Transition plan: if switching to oral suspension, confirm dose and interval

If your vet provides an at-home continuation plan, use a marked oral syringe, keep a dosing log, and ask about food timing to reduce stomach upset. Do not change the regimen without the prescriber’s guidance.

Strengths and Forms

The injection is commonly supplied as Metacam Solution for Injection 5 mg/ml. Availability and packaging can vary by country. Oral suspensions for ongoing care may be offered in multiple bottle sizes. If your prescriber prefers tablets or another NSAID, that choice will reflect species, weight, and clinical history.

Missed Dose and Timing

This product is usually administered in a clinic. If a scheduled visit is missed, contact the veterinary team to reschedule. Do not double up later at home. If you are on an oral continuation, give the missed dose when remembered unless it is close to the next one; in that case, skip and resume the usual schedule. When in doubt, follow the product label or speak with the prescriber.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store the injection in its original packaging and keep out of reach of children and pets. Protect from extreme temperatures and follow label guidance on room temperature and light exposure. Do not use if the vial is damaged, discolored, or past expiry. For travel to the clinic, keep the vial upright in a protective container. Ask your vet for documentation if crossing borders with your pet’s medicine. We use temperature-controlled handling when required.

Benefits

This NSAID can ease surgical or joint-related pain so pets may rest, move more comfortably, and begin rehabilitation. The injection allows a clinician to start therapy quickly and then consider oral maintenance for longer-term support. This approach helps your pet receive timely care and tailored dosing.

Side Effects and Safety

Common effects may include vomiting, soft stool or diarrhea, decreased appetite, and lethargy. Some pets may show increased thirst or localized injection-site reactions. Serious risks include gastrointestinal ulceration, bleeding, elevated liver enzymes, and kidney effects. In cats, label restrictions apply; repeated dosing risks are significant. Stop the medicine and seek veterinary care if you notice tarry stools, persistent vomiting, yellowing of the gums, severe lethargy, or changes in urination.

• GI upset: nausea, vomiting, loose stools
• Appetite changes: decreased food intake
• Behavior changes: lethargy or discomfort
• Rare: ulceration, bleeding, kidney or liver concerns

Pets with dehydration, coagulation disorders, or pre-existing kidney disease require special caution. Periodic lab monitoring may be recommended for longer courses using oral forms.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Tell your veterinarian about all medicines and supplements. Avoid combining with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids unless directed. Use caution with anticoagulants, nephrotoxic agents, ACE inhibitors, or diuretics. Pets under anesthesia or those with GI, renal, or hepatic disease may need additional monitoring. Do not give human OTC pain relievers to pets.

What to Expect Over Time

Many pets appear more comfortable within a short period after the in-clinic injection. Mobility and activity may gradually improve as inflammation is managed. If an oral continuation is prescribed, consistency matters. Keep a log of appetite, stool quality, and behavior. Share observations with your veterinary team during follow-up. If pain or stiffness returns, ask about adjustments or adjunct therapies such as weight management, joint-friendly exercise, or physiotherapy.

Compare With Alternatives

Your veterinarian may consider other NSAIDs or perioperative options based on species and medical history. Common alternatives include carprofen and robenacoxib. For reference, see Rimadyl Injectable and Onsior Solution. The choice depends on indication, duration needed, and tolerability.

Pricing and Access

We aim to make care more affordable with transparent Canadian sourcing. Check the Metacam injection price and review available pack sizes before you add to cart. You can shop the injection with US shipping from Canada, and see current options that may help you manage costs. Looking for seasonal offers? See our Promotions. Final costs depend on your prescription, quantity, and your veterinarian’s plan.

Availability and Substitutions

Stock may vary. If this item is temporarily unavailable, your prescriber may recommend an alternative NSAID or an oral continuation to maintain comfort. We cannot guarantee restock dates, but we list current options on the product page as soon as they are available.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates are dogs or cats needing clinician-directed pain control where an initial injection is appropriate. Pets with GI ulcers, severe kidney disease, or NSAID intolerance may not be candidates. To manage costs, ask your vet about the shortest effective course, multi-month oral fills when used for maintenance, and refill reminders so you avoid urgent purchases. If paying cash, compare options across bottle sizes and ask your prescriber whether a transition to oral suspension is suitable for longer-term needs.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Fit for my pet: Is this NSAID the right starting choice?
• Dosing plan: What is the injection schedule and oral transition?
• Monitoring: Which side effects should I watch for at home?
• Interactions: Are there medicines or supplements to stop?
• Follow-up: When should we review response and lab work?
• Alternatives: If this is not available, which options suit my pet?

Authoritative Sources

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health

Health Canada Drug Product Database

Manufacturer Product Information (Canada)

Explore Related Options

For ongoing care after the clinic dose, some prescribers use oral suspensions. See Metacam® Oral Suspension For Dogs and Metacam® Oral Suspension For Cats. Learn more about joint health in our categories: Osteoarthritis, Pain, Inflammation, and find all Pet Medications. Helpful reads: Cat Pain Signs and Gabapentin For Dogs. Check origin details here: Canada.

Final Note and CTA

Ready to get started? Order Metacam injection online for your prescription with prompt, express shipping and US shipping from Canada. This page is informational and not a substitute for veterinary advice. Always follow your prescriber’s direction and the official label.