Doses - MECLOFENAMIC ACID
Dogs: 
a) 1.1 mg/kg PO daily for 5-7 days (Booth 1988a) b) 1.1 mg/kg PO daily for 5-7 days, if therapeutic results are obtained, hold dose untilsigns exacerbate and then give 1.1 mg/kg every 3rd day for 7 days. If still efficacious, give dose every 4th day. Then every 5th day, etc. until signs recur. Then drop back tothe dosing interval where symptomatic relief is obtained until next dose. (McConnelland Hughey 1987)
c) 1.1 mg/kg PO daily; at the same time each day and after a full meal (Wallace 1988)
Note: 1/4 teaspoonful of the granules contains approximately 55 mg meclofenamic acid.
Alternatively, an oral solution may be prepared by adding a 500 mg (10 gram) packet to120 ml of water. One ml of this solution will contain approximately 4.1 mg ofmeclofenamic acid. At the doses listed above one ml will treat a 10 pound dog.(McConnell and Hughey 1987)
Horses: 
a) 2.2 mg/kg PO once daily for 5-7 days, this equates to two 500 mg packets per 454 kg(1000 lb.) animal daily. If treatment is desired past the 7 days recommended, decreasethe dosage and increase the dosing interval to obtain the lowest effective dose. Thepackage contents may be added to the daily grain feed ration, a moist feed with molassesadded will help to prevent separation of the granules from the feed. (Package Insert; Arquel®, Parke-Davis, 1981)
b) 2.2 mg/kg PO q12h (Jenkins 1987)
Monitoring Parameters -
Client Information/FDA Approval Status - Notify veterinarian if symptoms of GI distress (anorexia, vomiting in dogs, diarrhea, black feces or blood in stool) occur or if the animal becomes depressed.
Meclofenamic acid is approved for use in dogs (see note below regarding available dosage forms)and horses (not intended for food). Meclofenamic acid is a veterinary prescription (legend) drug.
Dosage Forms/Preparations - Veterinary-Approved Products:
Meclofenamic acid 5% granules in 10 gram packets (500 mg meclofenamic acid/10 grampacket) & scored 10 mg & 20 mg tablets; Arquel® (Fort Dodge)
MEDETOMIDINE HCL
Chemistry/
Storage, Stability, Compatibility
An alpha2-adrenergic agonist, medetomidine occurs as a white or almost white crystalline substance. It is soluble in water. While the compoundexists as two stereoisomers, only the D-isomer is active.The commercially available injection should be stored at room temperature (15-30°C) and protected from freezing.
Pharmacology
An alpha adrenergic receptor, medetomidine has an alpha2:alpha1 selectivityfactor of 1620, and when compared to xylazine is reportedly 10X more specific for alpha2 receptorsversus alpha1 receptors. The pharmacologic effects of medetomidine include: depression of CNS(sedation), GI (decreased secretions, varying affects on intestinal muscle tone) and endocrinefunctions, peripheral and cardiac vasoconstriction, bradycardia, respiratory depression, diuresis, hypothermia, analgesia, muscle relaxation, blanched or cyanotic mucous membranes and anxiolyticeffects. Effects on blood pressure are variable.Uses, Indications
Medetomidine is labeled for use as a sedative and analgesic in dogs over 12weeks of age to facilitate clinical examinations and procedures, minor surgical procedures notrequiring muscle relaxation, and minor dental procedures not requiring intubation. The manufacturer recommends the IV route of administration for dental procedures.Medetomidine has also been used in cats, primarily in Europe. But there is apparently much lessdata available to evaluate its use; caution is advised.
Pharmacokinetics
After IV or IM injection, onset of effect is rapid (5 mins. for IV; 10-15 mins.for IM). After subQ injection, responses are unreliable and this method of administration cannot berecommended. The drug is absorbed via the oral mucosa when administered sublingually in dogs, but efficacy at a given dose may be less than IM dosing.Contraindications, Precautions, Reproductive Safety
The label states that medetomidine iscontraindicated in dogs having the following conditions: cardiac disease, respiratory disorders, liveror kidney diseases, shock, severe debilitation, or dogs stressed due to heat, cold or fatigue.Dogs that are extremely agitated or excited may have a decreased response to medetomidine, themanufacturer suggests allowing these dogs to rest quietly before administration of the drug. Dogsnot responding to medetomidine should not be re-dosed. Use in very young or older dogs shouldbe done with caution.
The drug is not recommended to be used in pregnant dogs or those used for breeding purposes assafety data for use during pregnancy is insufficient; therefore use only when the benefits clearlyoutweigh the drug's benefits.
Adverse Effects, Warnings
The adverse effects reported with medetomidine are basically anextension of its pharmacologic effects including bradycardia, occasional AV blocks, decreasedrespiration, hypothermia, urination, vomiting, hyperglycemia, and pain on injection (IM). Rareeffects have also been reported, including prolonged sedation, paradoxical excitation, hypersensitivity, apnea and death from circulatory failure.Overdosage - Single doses of up to 5X (IV) and 10X (IM) were tolerated in dogs, but adverseeffects can occur (see above). Death has occurred rarely in dogs (1 in 40, 000) receiving 2X doses.
Because of the potential of additional adverse effects occurring (heart block, PVC's or tachycardia), treatment of medetomidine-induced bradycardia with anticholinergic agents (atropine orglycopyrrolate) is often not recommended. Atipamezole is probably a safer choice to treat anymedetomidine-induced effect.
Drug Interactions
Note: Before attempting combination therapy with medetomidine, it isstrongly advised to access references from veterinary anesthesiologists familiar with the use of thisproduct.When propofol is used after medetomidine, hypoxemia may occur. Dosage adjustments may berequired along with adequate monitoring. Enhancement of sedation and analgesia may occur whenmedetomidine is used concurrently with fentanyl, butorphanol or meperidine, but adverseeffects may be pronounced as well. Reduced dosages and monitoring is advised if contemplatingcombination therapy. The use of atropine or glycopyrrolate to prevent or treat medetomidinecaused bradycardia is controversial as tachycardia and hypertension may result.