Metacam dosage question

[casportpony]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I’m worried the doctor meant to write 0.2 instead of 2, and of course I already gave my chicken one dose earlier today. I called to double check that the dosage was correct and a secretary confirmed it was, but I’ll try to actually talk to the vet tomorrow. Hopefully she hasn’t overdosed. Thanks again for your quick response and the information you shared!

I think one dose will be fine. When you talk to the vet, ask them to tell you how many mg per kg they prescribed.

 

[Novicechickenowner]

I think one dose will be fine. When you talk to the vet, ask them to tell you how many mg per kg they prescribed.

Ok I’ll do that. Thank you!

 

[casportpony]

I looked it up, and when my vet prescribed the 1.5 mg/ml stuff to my 4kg (8.8 pounds) peahen, she prescribed 0.7 ml twice a day. That's about 0.25 mg/kg twice a day.

 

[Novicechickenowner]

I looked it up, and when my vet prescribed the 1.5 mg/ml stuff to my 4kg (8.8 pounds) peahen, she prescribed 0.7 ml twice a day. That's about 0.25 mg/kg twice a day.

Quite a bit less! Good to know.

 

[Banana01]

Hey! Has anyone given metacam to their chickens? One of ours seems to have egg yolk peritonitis, and the vet prescribed metacam oral susp 1.5mg and and antibiotics. She instructed I give 2 ml of the metacam once daily. Does that seem high? The chicken weighed 5lb at the appointment and is probably up because of the extra fluid in her abdomen. I was feeling nervous after reading another forum about metacam and seeing significantly smaller dosage recommendations. Does anyone else have experience with this drug and their chickens?

Per the medicine instructions, the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible consistent with individual treatment goals should be used. Be carefuk using it too long, and that dose seems too high for no reason.

I just had a hen die from something similar and didnt give any medicine, so I hope it works for you. Do your chickens get enough calcium supplement?

 

[Novicechickenowner]

Per the medicine instructions, the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible consistent with individual treatment goals should be used. Be carefuk using it too long, and that dose seems too high for no reason.

I just had a hen die from something similar and didnt give any medicine, so I hope it works for you. Do your chickens get enough calcium supplement?

I agree. Yes, they have calcium in their feed and I also offer oyster shells if they want. Their egg shells seem normal. From what it seems, if it is egg yolk peritonitis, some chickens live with it for a while but the only real way to get rid of it is with a hormone implant that stops them from laying eggs. Without any eggs, the yolks won’t end up in their abdominal cavity. I think this medicine is mostly to help with the pain and hopefully reduce inflammation. We’ll see if it helps! So long as it isn’t too much, in which case it will just cause other problems.
Thanks!

 

[Rojas Roo]

Hey! Has anyone given metacam to their chickens? One of ours seems to have egg yolk peritonitis, and the vet prescribed metacam oral susp 1.5mg and and antibiotics. She instructed I give 2 ml of the metacam once daily. Does that seem high? The chicken weighed 5lb at the appointment and is probably up because of the extra fluid in her abdomen. I was feeling nervous after reading another forum about metacam and seeing significantly smaller dosage recommendations. Does anyone else have experience with this drug and their chickens?

That is too much. Generally the dosage for a small bird/animal would be 0.2 ml. The 1.5 ml should last you for 7 administrations. Metacam is an anti inflammatory med and given in too high of a dosage could cause renal impairment (kidney damage).

 

[Rojas Roo]

Hello, I need to correct my earlier comment regarding the best dose of Metacam. I have been given conflicting information from veterinarians. After researching this question with one of my younger Avian trained veterinarians, she did instruct me that 2.0 ml of Metacam is recommended. I mentioned that the chicken weighs half as much as my cat which is only administered 0.2 mls of Metacam for pain. She said that for some reason, the 2.0 mls of Metacam is recommended in chickens of her size (4.5lbs) and that it does not seem to cause renal impairment or toxicity. Chickens can tolerate that higher dose. So, maybe it is a matter of preference or a matter of teaching at the schools.