Effects of meloxicam on severity of lameness and other clinical signs of osteoarthritis in dogs

Abstract

To evaluate effects of meloxicam on severity of lameness and other clinical signs in dogs with osteoarthritis (OA). Randomized, controlled, multicenter clinical trial. 217 client-owned dogs with clinical and radiographic signs of OA. Dogs were randomly assigned to be treated with meloxicam (n = 105; 0.2 mg/kg [0.09 mg/lb], SC, once on day 1, then 0.1 mg/kg [0.045 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h, for 13 days) or a placebo (n = 112). A general clinical score was assigned by investigators on days 1 (ie, prior to initiation of treatment), 8, and 15 on the basis of severity of lameness, extent of weight bearing, and severity of signs during palpation of the affected joint. Owners and investigators provided overall evaluations on days 8 and 15. Dogs treated with meloxicam had significantly greater improvements in general clinical scores, compared with baseline scores, on days 8 and 15 than did dogs treated with placebo. On days 8 and 15, percentages of dogs treated with meloxicam in which owners and investigators considered treatment to be successful were significantly higher than percentages of control dogs in which treatment was considered to be successful. No abnormalities in hematologic and serum biochemical test results were detected. Results suggest that compared with administration of a placebo, administration of meloxicam for 14 days significantly improved the clinical condition of dogs with OA without causing adverse effects.