The veterinarian drug, Deramaxx, is a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory for canines to control pain and to relieve inflammation. However, the drug has experienced fluctuations in both availability and pricing. For example, at the time of this writing, 100mg tablets of Deramaxx is quite expensive. When dosing giant breeds, the usual dose of Deramaxx is 1.4-1.8mg/lb of body weight. An average weight of 150-pounds requiring relief from postoperative pain or inflammation would require almost three tablets daily. Currently, 30 tablets for a 10-day supply is $100-$150.00. If a dog requires long-term usage, 90 tablets, for a 30-day supply can cost $300-$355.00. Either amount is not spare change.
As a substitute, the human drug Meloxicam has been routinely prescribed as an off-label drug for the same purposes. Still, it is not without serious side-effects. Further, two of my Veterinarians over the years were extremely cautious utilizing the drug, and I'd go so far as to say they were reluctant to use it. I have experience using Meloxicam for at least 13 years now on our Irish Wolfhounds; however, recently, one of my Wolfhounds endured the real and severe side effects of Meloxicam. The potential side effects that both of my Veterinarians feared, and admittedly, they were very frightening.
As a preface, I do not allow the use of Opiates, such as Buprenorphine, during surgery as several years before I had a Wolfhound who suffered a severe reaction with life-threatening complications from the opiate. It may be that my Wolfhounds and, therefore, my bloodlines are susceptive to opiates. As a precautionary measure, my veterinarians do not use Buprenorphine on any of my hounds. For more information on my Wolfhound’s specific adverse reaction, please visit my Irish Wolfhound Health Concerns webpage, and scroll down to Drug Interactions. Alternatively, before surgery, we administer Gabapentin, which is a human drug that is used off-label for dogs with chronic pain relief or cancer pain. Postoperative care, we use Deramaxx and Gabapentin for pain relief and inflammation.
Again, it bears repeating that I have been using Meloxicam for 12 or more years without any incident. However, there is always a first time for everything. Kellyanne, our 5-year-old Wolfhound, had undergone surgery recently, and we agreed that she would take Meloxicam for only 4 days post-surgery to relieve inflammation. All went well while she was taking the drug, or so it seemed. Approximately one hour after eating her dinner on the 7th day, Kellyanne was resting when she began to vomit an enormous amount of bright red blood with small debris that appeared to fine in appearance, almost like coffee grinds. Her gums were pale pink, her abdomen was swelling and retaining fluid, and she was somewhat sluggish but no temperature. She then immediately developed black tarry, liquid stools, along with a lack of appetite and general weakness. The black tar stools were the fluid from her abdomen and blood from the ulcerations. Since she had ceased vomiting, the blood was absorbed and eliminated through the intestines.
As for the bloody vomit, well, I have been around a long time, and I must say that I had never seen anything quite like it. It was a frightening scene to see such excessive amounts of fresh blood pouring out of my hound's throat! SEE BELOW PHOTOS
Kellyanne was administered 2 grams twice daily of Sucralfate, which is an oral anti-ulcer drug used to coat ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract to protect them from stomach acid and allow them to heal, which were caused by the Meloxicam. Though she did not continue to vomit, it took Kellyanne five long days for her stomach to improve, her tarry black stools to disappear, and nearly seven days for the abdomen's swelling to dissipate completely. 16 days after surgery, she still is eating somewhat sparingly compared to her once normal, healthy appetite despite my medley of wonderful concoctions and treats.
I cannot stress enough to my Readers to proceed with great caution and understand the risks of using Meloxicam. Despite my long experience with the anti-inflammatory and having no previous issues, I repeat there is always a first time for everything. Kellyanne (150lbs) prescribed dose was one and a half tablets (30mg) once daily for the first two days and then one 20mg tablet once daily for the last two days, all of which wreaked havoc on her.
