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Animal Care Guidelines SOP:
TECH 19 – UBC ACC Metacam SOP
Submitted by: Shelly McErlane
Last date revised: February 2016
Date approved:
NSAID Analgesia for Adult Rodents SOP
Meloxicam (Metacam)
Purpose: To provide pain relief and/or reduce inflammation in cases of mild to moderate
pain in mice and rats. Mild to moderate pain may be caused by minor surgical procedures
such as castrations, osmotic pump implantations, craniotomy, injections, skin irritation,
fighting wounds, eye traumas, etc.
Policy: Pain should be appropriately treated based on signs of pain in the rodent and the
likelihood that the procedure will cause pain. When possible, pain should be treated pre‐
emptively (before the cause). The use of multi‐modal analgesia (using multiple drugs)
maximizes the benefits of analgesia for procedures anticipated to cause moderate to
severe pain.
These include but are not limited to the addition of opioids and local anesthesia in
conjunction with non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatories (NSAID). Investigators should be
consulted prior to treating rodents involved in research. Contact the Veterinarian to
determine the best form of analgesia for a particular animal.
Responsibility: Those persons listed on an approved Animal Care Committee protocol
who are responsible for procedures, surgeries, and post‐procedure monitoring.
Materials: Meloxicam (Metacam oral (1.5 mg/ml)
o r Meloxicam (Metacam injectable (5mg/ml)
Hypodermic needles (25 or 27g, 1/2” or smaller)
1 cc syringes
Sterile vial for dilutions
**Vials can be purchased from Omega 1‐877‐271‐6228 (Richmond, B.C.)
Sterile, pyrogen‐free water for injection (if diluting injectable Metacam)
Lactacted Ringer’s solution or 0.9% NaCl
5‐10 ml syringe (for dilutions and SQ fluid administration in rats)
Dilution: Injectable Meloxicam can be diluted with sterile, pyrogen free water for
injection.
For mice or small rats, dilute injectable solution 1:10 (1 part Meloxicam to 9 parts
sterile water) with sterile water for injection in a sterile container giving 0.5 mg/ml.
Discard diluted solutions after one month.
Procedure:
1. Weigh animal(s) to be treated.
2. Dose for adult rats is 1 mg/kg once daily for up to 3 days. Dose for adult mice
is 5 mg/kg* once daily for up to 3 days. *This is the updated recommended dose for mice.
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NSAID Analgesia for Adult Rodents SOP
Meloxicam (Metacam)
Limited long term safety information has been published.
3. Dilute Meloxicam if needed to provide accurate volume of 0.05 ml or more.
4. Example doses:
Meloxicam Oral Suspension Meloxicam Injectable solution
Weight of Rat Undiluted 1.5 mg/ml Undiluted 5mg/ml
(1 mg/kg dose) (1 mg/kg dose)
250 g 0.17 ml 0.05 ml
350 g 0.23 ml 0.07 ml
450 g 0.30 ml 0.09 ml
550 g 0.37 ml 0.11 ml
Weight of Mouse Meloxicam Oral suspension Meloxicam Injectable solution
Undiluted 1.5 mg/ml Diluted to 0.5 mg/ml
(5 mg/kg dose) (5 mg/kg dose)
25 g 0.08 ml 0.25 ml
35 g 0.12 ml 0.35 ml
45 g 0.15 ml 0.45 ml
55 g 0.18 ml 0.55 ml
5. Oral Administration: While gently restraining mouse or rat administer oral
suspension directly into mouth one drop at a time until animal ingests fluid. Do
not attempt to forcefully inject entire dose at once as animal may aspirate.
6. Injectable Administration: Administer injectable solution subcutaneously in the
scruff (loose skin on dorsal neck) using a 1 cc syringe and a 25 or 27g needle.
7. Using NSAID drugs in animals that may be dehydrated can cause kidney injury. It
is recommended to administer 10 ml/kg of either Lactated Ringer’s Solution or
0.9% sterile saline subcutaneously at the same time as the NSAID administration.
Do not treat for more than 3 consecutive days. Meloxicam can be used pre‐operatively
and in conjunction with an opioid analgesic and a local anesthetic for controlling
moderate to severe pain. Side effects may include a decrease in appetite. Use with
caution in animals with pre‐existing renal, cardiovascular, or gastrointestinal disease.
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NSAID Analgesia for Adult Rodents SOP
Meloxicam (Metacam)