My vet put my pet on Meloxicam / Mobic / Loxicom / Metacam.  What does that mean?

Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), used as a painkiller or to relieve pain, inflammation and fever in dogs (and more rarely,cats).  It is often prescribed for pets that are diagnosed with osteoarthritis, and is also used to manage post-surgical pain.

Other brand names for meloxicam are Mobic, Loxicom and

Carprofen is prescribed for treat osteoarthritis in dogs and is also used to provide pain relief after surgery.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (also called Degenerative Joint Disease or DJD) refers to the medical condition when your pet has progressively worsening inflammation of a joint.  In a healthy joint, which moves smoothly and painlessly, cartilage acts as a cushion - when the cartilage in the joint starts deteriorating, or breaking down, it is called osteoarthritis. This can happen due to “wear & tear” or due to disease, age, injury, repetitive stress, or obesity. 

You may have seen your dog show pain, or a decreased range of motion or your pet may develop inflammation or bone spurs.  Joints most likely to be affected are the legs and lower back.   

Dogs are really good at hiding their pain, so the early symptoms of osteoarthritis may not be immediately seen by pet owners.  Here are some signs to watch for in your dog:

• Stiffness, lameness, limping, or difficulty getting up
• Lethargy, or reluctance to run, jump, or play
• Weight gain
• Pain when petted or touched
• Irritability or changes in behavior
• Difficulty posturing to urinate or defecate, or having accidents in the house
• Loss of muscle mass over the limbs and spine

You should discuss any changes with your vet, as vets estimate that 1 in 5 dogs suffer from osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis can be managed!

Fortunately, osteoarthritis in dogs can be managed.  With medicine, such as Carprofen, your dog’s pain can be managed and joint inflammation decreased, and this means their movement is improved. This improves your pet’s quality of life!

Other treatments may be recommended for your dog, such as physiotherapy or changes in diet.  For dogs that have developed or who are at risk of developing osteoarthritis, maintaining a healthy weight is very important.

What is Carprofen?

Carprofen is both the brand name of the drug, and the name of the active ingredient.  It is an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) that acts as pain relief and treats joint inflammation and is in the same family of drugs as ibuprofen. (Obviously, it is NOT exactly the same as ibuprofen, which is not for use in dogs - never give your dog ibuprofen or other human drugs!) Carprofen is sold as Rimadyl or Novox in some parts of the world.

Carprofen slows down or stops the body producing an enzyme called COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2).  This enzyme produces prostaglandins - substances that are primarily responsible for inflammation and pain, and so Carprofen works to control pain and inflammation at the source.

Carprofen can’t cure osteoarthritis in dogs -

Trocoxil is prescribed for dogs that are diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

What is osteoarthritis?

Sometimes called Degenerative Joint Disease or DJD, osteoarthritis refers to when your pet has progressively worsening inflammation of a joint.  This happens when the cartilage in the joint starts deteriorating.  In a healthy joint, which moves smoothly and painlessly, the cartilage acts as a cushion.  This cushioning cartilage can start to break down or deteriorate, due to age, injury, repetitive

Previcox is prescribed for dogs that are diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (sometimes called Degenerative Joint Disease or DJD) is a progressively worsening inflammation of the joint and is caused by the cartilage in the joint deteriorating.  When a joint is healthy, the cartilage acts as a cushion, and the joint moves smoothly and painlessly.  With age, injury, repetitive stress, obesity or disease, the cartilage can start to deteriorate or break down. You may have noticed that your dog is “not himself”, not showing enthusiasm for your normal games or walks, or is slow in his movements.   

Pets with osteoarthritis may show pain, or a decreased range of motion, and may develop inflammation or bone spurs.  The joints most likely to be affected are the legs and lower back. 

Because dogs are braver than us humans, your dog may not show early symptoms - but you should watch for these signs in your dog, and discuss changes with your vet:

• Stiffness, lameness, limping, or difficulty getting up
• Lethargy, or reluctance to run, jump, or play
• Weight gain
• Irritability or changes in behavior
• Pain when petted or touched
• Difficulty posturing to urinate or defecate, or having accidents in the house
• Loss of muscle mass over the limbs and spine

It is estimated that 1 in 5 dogs suffer from osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis - treatment can help your dog!

The good news is that osteoarthritis can be managed.  With medicine, such as Previcox, your dog’s pain is managed, and the joint inflammation is decreased. This improves your pet’s movement and quality of life!

Your vet may also recommend other treatments such as physiotherapy or changes in diet to help your dog.  Maintaining a healthy weight is important for your dog, particularly if they have developed or are at risk of developing osteoarthritis.

What is Previcox?

Previcox is an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) that acts as pain relief and treats joint inflammation. The active ingredient (Firocoxib)  works to control pain and inflammation at the source – by inhibiting an enzyme called COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) that helps produce substances that are primarily responsible for inflammation and pain. 

Previcox doesn’t cure osteoarthritis - but it starts working against the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis within hours of giving them the first dose.

What can I expect when my dog starts on Previcox?

• Initially - Previcox works fast, from the very first dose.  By controlling the pain and inflammation in the joint, many dogs show improvement in mobility within days