DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIP FOR THE ANTIPYRETIC EFFECT OF MELOXICAM INAN ENDOTOXIN MODEL IN CATS

The antipyretic efficacy of meloxicam was evaluated in a feline endoto xin model using a replicated change-over design. Twelve adult cats of both sexes mere allocated at random to three experimental groups. At 3 0 min prior to the intravenous (i.v.) endotoxin challenge (0.5 mu g/kg bodyweight(b.w.)), 2 animals in each group received an i.v. injection of 0.1, 0.3 or 0.5 mg meloxicam/kg b.w. and the two remaining animals in each group received physiological saline. In a second phase, 21 da ys later, the meloxicam/placebo treatment was exchanged within each gr oup. The rectal temperature and scores for general demeanour were dete rmined at 30-min intervals from before dosing to 300 min after the end otoxin challenge. Haematological parameters were analysed before and 6 0 min after administration of endotoxin. The results indicated a signi ficant dose-dependent antipyretic response to meloxicam after endotoxi n challenge. The antipyretic response in the medium- and high-dose mel oxicam groups did not differ significantly, but both were significantl y different from the low-dosage group, The individual effects of endot oxin on general demeanour were rather variable but meloxicam tended to have a beneficial effect. Endotoxin induced a reduction in the white blood cell count but this was not influenced by meloxicam. It was conc luded that the pyretic endotoxin model is very suitable for studying n ew NSAIDs in cats and that the optimum single dose of meloxicam in thi s model was 0.3 mg/kg b.w.