Sheep no longer have to receive Metacam off label.
Veterinarians have long prescribed the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam to sheep, but it wasn’t a labelled use.
Boehringer Ingelheim and regulatory bodies from Canada, New Zealand and Australia participated in a collaborative review process and have determined that the drug is market ready.
Metacam 20 is an injection solution used in animals that require pain relief.
Dr. Rhonda Heinrichs, owner of Living Skies Veterinary Services and a sheep producer near Chaplin, Sask., has used Metacam 20 off label in her own flock and has seen its results.
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“I have always used it because it has such a long duration of action,” she said.
“(The sheep are) more willing to get up and go eat, and if they’re in less pain, they produce milk quickly, there’s more production. Everything about it is positive.”
Veterinarians can recommend or prescribe a medication that is not licensed for use in certain animals if it’s going to help. They use their medical discretion.
Meloxicam was already licensed for use in cattle and has a good reputation.
“There’s been some very nice studies on it where it’s really demonstrating its ability to control pain,” said Chris Clark, associate professor in large animal medicine at the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinarian Medicine.
He said anti-inflammatory drugs are complex because some are better at controlling inflammation and some are better at controlling pain. The two don’t always go hand in hand.
Metacam reduces pain, swelling, fever and the effects of toxaemia (blood poisoning).
Meloxicam, flunixine and ketoprofen are the three main NSAIDS prescribed for pain to large animals, including sheep. They all offer anti-inflammatory properties, but research shows that meloxicam offers the greatest pain control.
“Banamine (flunixine) is a great drug, too. It certainly has its place,” Heinrichs said.
“It just doesn’t last as long, and I think … it doesn’t do much for musculoskeletal pain, which is a lambing issue. It does more for gut pain, such as a colic.”
Clark said much has changed in animal treatment since he was a veterinary student.
“We used to not really consider pain in animals, but our research and the public’s perception of what we do means that we always need to be re-evaluating what we’re doing and being prepared to be the leaders in ensuring that the animals’ lives are as humane as possible,” he said.
Tail docking, lameness and castration require pain relief. An animal in pain won’t move around as much, won’t eat or drink and will lose weight.
Clark said proper pain management on the farm will result in better heath and higher production.
“The rest of the world is looking at what we do,” he said.
“We need to be completely open, and we need to be able to show the people that when an animal is hurting, we’re taking care of it.”
Producers must pay attention to withdrawal times because sheep are food animals.
Heinrichs advised following the withdrawal time recommended on the label and talking to veterinarians if there are concerns.
