ANALGESIC EFFICACY OF SUBCUTANEOUS MELOXICAM IN RED-EARED SLIDER TURTLES (TRACHEMYS SCRIPTA)

Meloxicam is a commonly used analgesic for reptiles. There are few published studies regarding the efficacy of meloxicam and dosing is typically extrapolated from mammals. We evaluated the analgesic efficacy of two meloxicam doses in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta). We hypothesized that subcutaneously administered 1 mg/kg meloxicam would significantly increase thermal hindlimb withdrawal latency for a greater time period than 0.4 mg/kg meloxicam. Twenty red-eared sliders were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) 0.9% saline (NaCl) (0.5 ml/kg), 2) 0.4 mg/kg meloxicam (Melox-0.4), and 3) 1 mg/kg meloxicam (Melox-1). Meloxicam or 0.9% NaCl was administered as a single SC injection in the right forelimb. Using the Hargreaves assay, a noxious radiant heat stimulus was applied to the plantar surface of both hindlimbs and withdrawal response to heat (heat latency) was measured at -0.25, 0.5, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hrs after treatment administration. Compared to the 0.9% NaCl group, Melox-0.4 significantly increased heat latency at 2 hrs while Melox-1 significantly increased heat latency at 0.5, 2, 4, and 8 hrs. The results of this study indicate that 1 mg/kg meloxicam SC significantly increased heat latency up to 8 hrs in red-eared sliders.