Evaluation of High Dosages of Oral Meloxicam in American Kestrels (Falco sparverius)

Abstract

To evaluate the toxicity of short-term high doses of meloxicam in American kestrels ( Falco sparverius ), 32 male captive-born, 1- to 4-year-old American kestrels were randomly assigned to 4 groups: 3 groups treated with meloxicam (n = 9 per group) and a control group (n = 5). Meloxicam was administered orally via feeding tube in the proventriculus at 2, 10, and 20 mg/kg every 12 hours for 7 days for the treatment groups, while the control group received saline solution. The birds were evaluated for the presence of clinical signs, abnormalities in the complete blood cell count and in the plasma biochemical panel for the 20-mg/kg group, and gross and histopathologic lesions. No clinical signs or mortality were observed in any group. No significant differences of clinical relevance were found in results of the packed cell volume, total solids, and biochemical panel, and no evidence of renal toxicity was found in the treatment or control groups. A significant correlation was found between hepatic lipidosis and meloxicam dose (P = .02). Two of 9 birds in the 20-mg/kg group developed gastric ulcers, although this result was not significant. None of the birds in the 2- and 10-mg/kg groups had similar lesions. Finally, meloxicam dosages up to 20 mg/kg did not result in nephrotoxicity in American kestrels. Further toxicologic studies to evaluate hepatotoxicity and gastrotoxicity of meloxicam in avian species are needed.

Gross pathology of herons and egrets (family Ardeidae) at a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Northern California

“…None found a substantial alteration in clinical signs, renal biochemical parameters or renal histological lesions. Two of nine American kestrels dosed at 20 mg/kg BID for seven days had ulcers in the proventriculus and ventriculus detectable on histology but not grossly; this was not statistically significantly associated with meloxicam dose, though that may have been due to a small sample size (Summa et al 2017).…”

“…One survey-based study of zoos, wildlife rehabilitation centres and exotic veterinarians found no recognized cases of mortality associated with meloxicam administration to 60 species in over 700 instances (Cuthbert et al 2007). There have been studies examining changes in biochemical parameters and renal histology in African grey parrots (Montesinos et al 2015), Japanese quail (Sinclair et al 2012), Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Dijkstra et al 2015) and American kestrels (Summa et al 2017). In all of these studies, birds were dosed every 12 hours, with doses ranging from 0.5 to 20 mg/kg.…”

Intertarsal Joint Stabilization in a Bateleur Eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus) Using a Novel Application of a Braided Suture and Titanium Button System

“…Some avian species, such as vultures within the Gyps genus, have had significant adverse reactions to some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. While the long-term effects and tolerance of the medications prescribed in the current case have not been fully elucidated, studies have demonstrated safety of meloxicam administration in several avian species, including those sensitive to other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, over shorter administration durations [13–16]. No significant adverse clinical signs, clinicopathologic derangements, or radiographic abnormalities attributed to the administration of these medications were noted for the animal in this case.…”

Administering analgesia to birds: NSAIDs, opioids and other agents

“…Meloxicam appears relatively safe in avian species with few toxic concerns reported. Subclinical renal remodelling has been seen in budgerigars with repeat doses, although renal function appeared unchanged (Periera and Werther 2007), and in a study of American kestrels ( Falco sparverius ), up to 10 mg/kg every 12 hours was tolerated although, at 20 mg/kg, meloxicam caused gastric ulceration in two out of nine birds (Summa and others 2017). In grey parrots, 0.5 mg/kg administered intramuscularly every 12 hours for 14 days did not produce biochemical or histological evidence of nephrotoxicity (Montesinos and others 2015).…”