Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Oral Doses of Meloxicam in Foals Less Than Six Weeks of Age

1. Introduction
Meloxicam is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has been shown to be an effective analagesic and anti-inflammatory in adult horses at a dose rate of 0.6 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h. Pharmacokinetics and safety of this drug have not been reported in foals <6 wk of age.

2. Materials and Methods
This project was conducted as three separate studies to determine pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of meloxicam in foals <6 wk of age (n = 10), to evaluate pharmacokinetics associated with repeated dosing for 2 wk (n = 4), and to assess drug safety (n = 10). Foals were monitored by daily examination, clinical pathology, gastroscopy, abdominal ultrasound, and urinalysis.

3. Results
The administration of a single oral dose of 0.6 mg/kg meloxicam to foals resulted in mean peak plasma concentrations of ~1000 ng/ml. Repeated dosing (0.6 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h) was well tolerated and resulted in plasma concentrations likely to be therapeutic. All foals remained healthy for the duration of each study. [...]