Boehringer Ingelheim introduces Metacam^® 40 mg/ml

Boehringer Ingelheim has introduced a new formulation of its large animal NSAID. Metacam 40 mg/ml solution for injection for cattle and horses contains 40 mg/ml of meloxicam, and is available in either 50 ml or 100 ml presentations. Metacam 40 mg/ml is approved for subcutaneous or intravenous use in cattle, and intravenous use in horses following a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency.

The introduction comes on the back of a recent large-scale landmark study that found adding Metacam to standard antibiotic therapy for mastitis resulted in a greater first-service conception rate, fewer inseminations required to conceive and a higher probability of pregnancy by 120 days post-calving when compared to cows receiving antibiotic therapy alone.

Boehringer Ingelheim’s technical manager Kath Aplin says that: “By reducing the pain and inflammation caused by mastitis and other conditions, the use of Metacam 40 can result in improvements in cattle health and welfare, and may help limit any reduction in feed intakes. This is central to efficient herd management and productivity.”

The new Metacam 40 mg/ml formulation offers a lower volume dose compared to the existing 20 mg/ml presentation, giving vets more flexibility in their use of Metacam.