What Is Loxicom and What Does It Treat?
Loxicom is a brand name for meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) widely used to control pain and inflammation in dogs. Meloxicam is the same active ingredient found in other well-known brands such as Metacam, and Loxicom is licensed for veterinary use as an oral suspension and an injectable solution.
Like other NSAIDs, meloxicam works by blocking cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes and reducing the production of prostaglandins — the chemical messengers behind pain, inflammation and fever. Meloxicam is described as preferentially COX-2 selective, which is intended to target the inflammatory prostaglandins while having somewhat less effect on the “housekeeping” prostaglandins that protect the stomach lining.
Veterinarians most commonly prescribe Loxicom for:
- Osteoarthritis and chronic joint pain — long-term management of canine arthritis
- Post-operative pain — after surgery
- Acute musculoskeletal pain and inflammation — from injuries
Meloxicam is effective and convenient — it is given just once a day — but it is a true NSAID and carries the class’s risks. Correct dosing, the right product strength and an awareness of the warning signs are essential. Use the calculator above to understand the dosing pattern, but a veterinarian must confirm Loxicom is suitable for your dog. For more, see PuppaDogs’ guides to Loxicom for dogs and meloxicam for dogs.
How the Loxicom Dosage Calculator Works
Meloxicam uses a distinctive two-tier schedule: a higher dose on the first day, then a lower daily dose. The calculator:
- Works out the day-1 loading dose (0.2 mg/kg) and the day-2-onward maintenance dose (0.1 mg/kg).
- Converts each into millilitres of the 1.5 mg/mL or 0.5 mg/mL oral suspension.
- Applies firm NSAID contraindication flags.
Enter your dog’s weight, select the Loxicom product you have, choose the reason for use, tick any health considerations, then press Calculate Dose.
How Meloxicam Doses Are Calculated for Dogs
The Loading-Dose Schedule
The standard meloxicam dosing schedule for dogs is:
- Day 1 — loading dose: 0.2 mg/kg of body weight
- Day 2 onward — maintenance dose: 0.1 mg/kg of body weight, once daily
The higher first-day dose builds an effective level of the drug quickly; the daily maintenance dose then sustains it. The single most important rule with this medication is that the day-1 loading dose is given once only — giving the higher dose every day is a meloxicam overdose.
Get the Concentration Right
Loxicom oral suspension for dogs is most commonly 1.5 mg/mL, but other concentrations exist, and dog and cat products are not the same. Always check the label, use the measuring syringe supplied with that product, and measure carefully — with a liquid NSAID, a small measuring error translates directly into a dosing error.
Loxicom (Meloxicam) Dosage Chart for Dogs
This chart shows the day-1 and maintenance doses, with the maintenance volume of the standard 1.5 mg/mL suspension. It is a reference only — your veterinarian’s prescription takes priority.
| Dog weight | Day 1 (0.2 mg/kg) | Day 2+ (0.1 mg/kg) | Day 2+ at 1.5 mg/mL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | ~0.9 mg | ~0.45 mg | ~0.3 mL |
| 20 lb (9 kg) | ~1.8 mg | ~0.9 mg | ~0.6 mL |
| 40 lb (18 kg) | ~3.6 mg | ~1.8 mg | ~1.2 mL |
| 60 lb (27 kg) | ~5.4 mg | ~2.7 mg | ~1.8 mL |
| 80 lb (36 kg) | ~7.3 mg | ~3.6 mg | ~2.4 mL |
How to Give Loxicom to Your Dog
- Give with or just after food — this reduces the risk of stomach irritation.
- Use the supplied syringe and measure to the exact mark. The suspension can be given directly into the mouth or mixed into a small amount of food.
- Once daily, at roughly the same time each day.
- Remember the schedule: loading dose on day 1 only, then the maintenance dose every day after.
- Shake the bottle if the label directs, and store it as instructed.
- Missed dose: give it when you remember unless the next dose is near, then skip it — never double up.
Side Effects and Safety Warnings
Most dogs tolerate meloxicam well, but as an NSAID it can affect the stomach, kidneys and liver. Every owner should know the warning signs.
Stop the medication and contact your veterinarian promptly if you notice:
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Black, tarry or bloody stool
- Loss of appetite
- Unusual lethargy or weakness
- Yellowing of the gums or eyes (jaundice)
- Increased thirst or urination
- Changes in behaviour
These can indicate gastrointestinal ulceration, kidney injury or liver problems — the serious risks of NSAID therapy.
When Loxicom Should Be Avoided
Meloxicam should not be used, or used only with great caution under veterinary direction, in dogs that:
- Are taking another NSAID or a corticosteroid — a dangerous combination that requires a washout period when switching
- Have a history of stomach ulcers or GI bleeding
- Have kidney or liver disease
- Are dehydrated or seriously unwell
- Are pregnant or nursing
- Have a known sensitivity to meloxicam
Monitoring Bloodwork
Because meloxicam affects the liver and kidneys, your veterinarian will usually recommend blood tests before starting long-term treatment and periodically during it. This routine monitoring catches early changes before they become a problem.
Overdose — Signs and What to Do
Meloxicam overdose — whether from giving the loading dose repeatedly, measuring the liquid incorrectly, or a dog finding the bottle — can cause severe GI ulceration and kidney failure. If your dog receives more meloxicam than prescribed, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service immediately, and bring the bottle so the concentration and amount can be checked.
Treatment Duration and Monitoring
For acute or post-operative pain, Loxicom may be needed for only a short course. For osteoarthritis, long-term daily use is common and appropriate under veterinary supervision, with periodic rechecks and bloodwork. As with other NSAIDs, meloxicam works best within a multimodal plan — weight control, suitable exercise and other supportive measures all reduce how much medication a dog needs. If your dog is switched between meloxicam and another NSAID such as carprofen, your veterinarian will build in a washout period.
Conclusion
Loxicom (meloxicam) is an effective, once-daily NSAID for canine pain and arthritis, dosed on a simple schedule: a 0.2 mg/kg loading dose on day 1, then 0.1 mg/kg once daily thereafter. The calculator above estimates both doses and converts them into millilitres of oral suspension. The keys to using it safely are getting the product concentration right, measuring the liquid precisely, never giving the loading dose more than once, never combining it with other NSAIDs or steroids, and knowing the warning signs that mean “stop and call the vet.” Used correctly and under veterinary supervision, Loxicom can keep an arthritic or recovering dog comfortable and active.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Loxicom do I give my dog?
Meloxicam (Loxicom) for dogs is dosed at 0.2 mg/kg of body weight on day 1 as a loading dose, then 0.1 mg/kg once daily from day 2 onward. With the standard 1.5 mg/mL dog suspension, the maintenance dose works out to roughly 0.6 mL for a 20 lb dog and 1.2 mL for a 40 lb dog. Always confirm the dose and use the supplied syringe.
Why is the first day’s Loxicom dose higher?
Day 1 uses a higher loading dose (0.2 mg/kg) to build an effective level of meloxicam in the body quickly. From day 2 onward, the lower maintenance dose (0.1 mg/kg once daily) sustains that level. It is important to give the loading dose only once – repeating the higher dose every day would be an overdose.
What are the side effects of Loxicom in dogs?
As an NSAID, meloxicam can affect the stomach, kidneys and liver. Stop the medication and contact your vet promptly if you see vomiting, diarrhoea, black or tarry stool, loss of appetite, lethargy, yellow gums or increased thirst. Giving Loxicom with food and using the correct dose reduce the risk of side effects.
Can Loxicom be given with food?
Yes, and it is recommended. Giving meloxicam with or just after food helps reduce the risk of stomach irritation. The oral suspension can be given directly into the mouth or mixed with a small amount of food, measured precisely with the syringe supplied with the product.
Is Loxicom the same as Metacam?
Loxicom and Metacam are both brand names for the same active drug, meloxicam, and are used and dosed the same way in dogs. Whichever brand you have, check the concentration on the label, because meloxicam suspensions come in different strengths and dog and cat products are not interchangeable.
Can I give Loxicom with my dog’s other medications?
Meloxicam must never be given alongside another NSAID or a corticosteroid such as prednisone, because the combination can cause severe stomach ulceration and kidney damage. Always tell your veterinarian about every medication and supplement your dog takes so interactions can be checked before Loxicom is started.
Related PuppaDogs Calculators
Continue building your dog’s personalised care plan with these related PuppaDogs calculators:
- Dog Pregnancy / Whelping Due-Date Calculator
- Puppy Weight Predictor (Adult Weight Calculator)
- Heatstroke Risk Calculator for Dogs
- Bloat (GDV) Risk Calculator for Dogs
- Dog Life Expectancy Calculator (Breed, Body Condition, Lifestyle)
- Spay/Neuter Timing Calculator for Dogs (Breed-Specific)
References & Further Reading
The dosing ranges and safety information on this page are drawn from the following veterinary references. Always defer to your own veterinarian and the manufacturer’s label for your specific product.
- Loxicom (meloxicam) oral suspension for dogs – veterinary label and prescribing information, Norbrook Laboratories.
- Plumb DC. Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook. 10th ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell, 2023 – meloxicam monograph.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in animals. merckvetmanual.com.
- U.S. FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. Get the Facts about Pain Relievers for Pets. fda.gov.
- PuppaDogs. Meloxicam for Dogs: Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects, and More. puppadogs.com.
