Piroxicam

Piroxicam In Dogs & Cats: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Inhibition of COX enzymes limits the production of prostaglandins involved in inflammation.
• It also limits tumour growth but the mechanism is still to be determined.

Uses of Piroxicam

• Piroxicam is used to treat specific tumours that express COX receptors, such as transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, prostatic carcinoma, colonic-rectal carcinoma and polyps.
• While piroxicam suppositories are available for human use and prove beneficial in managing colorectal polyps/neoplasia, other NSAIDs authorized for veterinary use are mainly indicated for various inflammatory conditions, and their effects in neoplastic conditions remain unclear.

Dose of Piroxicam in Dogs and Cats

Dogs:

• All uses: 0.3 mg/kg p.o. q24–72h; start at least frequent administration and slowly increase if no side effects are observed.
• Piroxicam suppositories: usually 20 mg/dog per rectum q2–3 days (dose equivalent to 0.24–0.4 mg/kg/day).

Cats:

• All uses: 0.3 mg/kg p.o. q24–96h; start at least frequent administration and slowly increase if no side effects are observed.

Side Effects of Piroxicam in Dogs and Cats

Contraindications of Piroxicam in Dogs and Cats

• Gastric ulceration, renal disease, concurrent use of corticosteroids.

Some Notes:

• As a non-specific COX inhibitor, it may cause general adverse effects associated with NSAIDs, including GI toxicity, gastric ulceration and renal papillary necrosis (particularly if the patient is dehydrated).
• There is a small risk that NSAIDs may precipitate cardiac failure in humans and this risk in animals is unknown.
• Ulcerative skin lesions have been reported in the cat.