Dose of meloxicam in pelicans birds
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PMID: 33355409
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https://www.abvp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-05-MAY-…
Here is a detailed summary of what is known about meloxicam dosing in pelicans, specifically brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) - the only pelican species with published pharmacokinetic data.
Meloxicam in Brown Pelicans - What the Evidence Shows
The Key Study (Horgan et al., 2020 - PMID: 33355409)
This is the only published pharmacokinetic study in pelicans. Twelve wild adult brown pelicans received a single oral dose of 0.2 mg/kg meloxicam. Key findings:
| Parameter | Result |
|---|---|
| Cmax | 1.22 µg/mL |
| Tmax | 24 hours |
| Elimination half-life (t½) | 36.3 hours |
| AUC (inf) | 97.3 h·µg/mL |
The 36.3-hour half-life is the longest ever reported for any avian species - far exceeding most other birds (most have t½ of 1-6 hours). This dramatically raises the risk of drug accumulation and toxicity with repeated dosing.
Practical Dosing Guidance
| Scenario | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Published PK study dose | 0.2 mg/kg PO (single dose) | Only dose with published PK data |
| Anecdotally used "safe" dose | 0.25 mg/kg PO q72h | Used by one experienced clinician; safety not fully established |
| Doses to avoid | 0.5 mg/kg+ or standard avian doses (1-2 mg/kg) | Reported proventricular ulceration and duodenal perforation at these doses in pelicans |
Critical Safety Warnings
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Standard avian doses (1-2 mg/kg) are dangerous in pelicans. Multiple zoo and wildlife rehabilitation facilities reported adverse effects - including visceral gout, proventricular ulceration, and duodenal perforation - at doses routinely used in other bird species.
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The extremely long half-life (36 h) means drug accumulates rapidly with repeated dosing. Standard q12h or q24h intervals used in other birds are inappropriate.
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Risk of coagulopathy has also been raised as a concern even at low doses like 0.25 mg/kg.
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The authors of the 2020 PK study explicitly state: "Caution is advised when dosing brown pelicans with meloxicam until more studies are completed."
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By extrapolation, other birds in the order Pelecaniformes (herons, egrets, ibises, cormorants) may also warrant extra caution.
Context: Why Pelicans Are Different
Most avian species handle meloxicam well at 0.5-2 mg/kg q12-24h. Pelicans are an exception because their metabolic clearance of meloxicam is extremely slow - the 36-hour half-life means that even a dose given every 3 days would lead to significant accumulation over time.
Bottom Line for Clinical Practice
- If meloxicam must be used in pelicans, use the lowest effective dose: 0.2-0.25 mg/kg PO
- Extend dosing interval to at least q48-72h (not q12h or q24h as in other birds)
- Monitor closely for GI signs, coagulopathy, and renal effects
- Consider whether alternative analgesics/anti-inflammatories might be safer
- No multi-dose PK, safety, or efficacy studies exist yet - this remains an area needing more research
Reference: Horgan MD, Knych HK, Siksay SE, Duerr RS. "Pharmacokinetics of a Single Dose of Oral Meloxicam in Rehabilitated Wild Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis)." J Avian Med Surg. 2020 Dec;34(4):329-337. PMID: 33355409
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