Efficacy of meloxicam in a pain model in sheep

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug, meloxicam, in alleviating pain and inflammation and on production‐related variables in a model of sterile acute inflammation in sheep. Methods Groups of 12 mature Merino ewes received 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mg/kg meloxicam subcutaneously 90 min before injection of 0.1 mL turpentine subcutaneously on the anterior aspect of the proximal phalanx of a forelimb. Pain‐ and inflammation‐related variables were assessed at −18, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h relative to meloxicam administration. Daily feed intake and body weight change 7 days later were also assessed. Pain‐related variables measured were weight borne on each forelimb, lameness score, time each forelimb was raised in a 20‐s interval and tolerance to a noxious mechanical stimulus. Inflammation‐related variables measured were skin temperature, limb circumference, body temperature, plasma haptoglobin concentration and peripheral blood leucocyte parameters. Results Meloxicam was effective in improving all pain‐related variables. A dose‐dependent response was seen between 0 and 1.0 mg/kg, with no additional benefit provided by 1.5 mg/kg. At a dose rate of 1.0 mg/kg, meloxicam improved weight borne on the turpentine‐treated limb by 14%, reduced the time the treated limb was held in a non‐weight‐bearing posture by 46%, reduced the lameness score by 58% and improved tolerance to pressure by 52%. No significant effects of meloxicam on inflammatory variables or appetite were observed. Conclusions Using a validated pain model, the data suggested that 1.0 mg/kg meloxicam provided significant analgesic benefits to sheep.

Effect of castration procedure on the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in goat kids

“…The dose of meloxicam recommended by European Medicines Agency (EMA) for use in goats is 0.5 mg/kg, whereas some studies have recommended the dose of 1 mg/kg (CVMP, 2006; Wani, Roy, Ashraf, & Roy, 2013). Meloxicam at doses of 1 and 2 mg/kg is quite effective in a sheep inflammation model (Colditz, Paull, Lloyd, Johnston, & Small, 2019; Woodland et al., 2019). Meloxicam reaches peak plasma concentration at 12–16 hr after oral administration in goats.…”

Use and Efficacy of Analgesic Agents in Sheep (Ovis aries) Used in Biomedical Research

“…18 Although meloxicam does not seem to have been widely investigated in sheep from a biomedical research perspective, a recent study did evaluate its pain and inflammation-relieving properties in Merino sheep, with a focus on the use of meloxicam in production. 8 Pain was assessed through measures of weight-bearing, lameness score, forelimb raises, and noxious mechanical stimulus application after the application of a validated pain model, created through injection of turpentine into the proximal phalanx. All pain-related variables were decreased with escalating meloxicam dosages to a maximum of 1 mg/kg, in a dose-dependent fashion.…”

“…Of potential interest to researchers is the finding that the inflammation parameters measured were unaffected. 8 Phenylbutazone is a member of the pyrazolone class of NSAID and is a nonselective COX inhibitor. No significant increase in threshold values to a mechanical noxious stimulus were recorded when phenylbutazone was administered intrathecally or intravenously.…”

In this issue – January/February 2019: Dog health education in Aboriginal communities · Clients and the internet · Genetics of lymphoma in Australian Border Collies · Meloxicam in a pain model in sheep · Anaesthetising swamp buffalo · Ultrasound measurement of jejunum in poultry

“…An experimental study funded by Boehringer Ingelheim looked at the efficacy of subcutaneous meloxicam in a pain model in sheep. 4 This is a companion paper to one published by us in 2011, in which the authors describe the reasoning behind using this model and review many of the studies using the model in different species. 5 It is based on studies that show that intradermal injection of small amounts of turpentine led to a biphasic increase in vascular permeability and a neutrophil accumulation within the first 24 hours.…”

“…An experimental study funded by Boehringer Ingelheim looked at the efficacy of subcutaneous meloxicam in a pain model in sheep . This is a companion paper to one published by us in 2011, in which the authors describe the reasoning behind using this model and review many of the studies using the model in different species .…”