Calculate Meloxicam suspension volume based on weight.
Enter the weight of your rat in grams (g).
Standard vet prescription often ranges 0.2mg/kg to 2.0mg/kg.
Dog Metacam is usually 1.5mg/ml. Cat Metacam is usually 0.5mg/ml. Check the bottle!
Rat Weight (kg):0.500 kg
Total Active Ingredient Needed:0.50 mg
Liquid Volume to Give:0.33 ml
VETERINARY DISCLAIMER: This tool is for educational purposes only and for verifying mathematics. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Doses for rats are significantly higher per kg than for dogs/cats due to metabolic rate. Always consult your veterinarian before administering medication.
function calculateMetacam() {
// Get Inputs
var weightGrams = parseFloat(document.getElementById('ratWeight').value);
var doseRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('dosageRate').value);
var concentration = parseFloat(document.getElementById('concentration').value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(weightGrams) || weightGrams <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid weight in grams.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(doseRate) || doseRate <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid dosage rate.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(concentration) || concentration <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid medication concentration.");
return;
}
// Logic
// 1. Convert grams to kg
var weightKg = weightGrams / 1000;
// 2. Calculate total mg needed (Weight in kg * Dose Rate mg/kg)
var mgNeeded = weightKg * doseRate;
// 3. Calculate volume in ml (Total mg / Concentration mg/ml)
var volumeMl = mgNeeded / concentration;
// Display Results
document.getElementById('resWeightKg').innerHTML = weightKg.toFixed(3) + " kg";
document.getElementById('resMgNeeded').innerHTML = mgNeeded.toFixed(2) + " mg";
document.getElementById('resVolume').innerHTML = volumeMl.toFixed(3) + " ml"; // 3 decimals for precision syringes
document.getElementById('resultDisplay').style.display = "block";
}
Understanding Metacam Dosage for Pet Rats
Administering medication to small exotic pets like rats requires precise mathematics. Meloxicam (often sold under the brand name Metacam) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly prescribed by exotic veterinarians for pain relief and inflammation in rats. Due to their fast metabolism, rats often require much higher dosage rates per kilogram compared to cats or dogs.
How the Calculation Works
To safely calculate the liquid volume of Metacam to administer, you need three pieces of data:
Rat's Weight: Usually measured in grams. This must be converted to kilograms (by dividing by 1000) for the standard medical formula.
Prescribed Dosage: This is the amount of drug (in milligrams) required per kilogram of body weight. For rats, this can range widely depending on the condition (e.g., post-operative pain vs. chronic arthritis), often between 0.2mg/kg up to 2.0mg/kg depending on the vet's protocol.
Concentration: This is how "strong" the liquid is. It indicates how many milligrams of active medicine are in one milliliter of liquid.
Common Metacam Concentrations
It is critical to check the bottle label before calculating. Using the wrong concentration value can lead to a massive overdose or an ineffective underdose.
Type
Concentration
Notes
Dog Metacam
1.5 mg/ml
The most common concentration prescribed for rats as it requires smaller volumes.
Cat Metacam
0.5 mg/ml
More dilute. Requires 3x the liquid volume to achieve the same dose as the Dog version.
Injectable Solution
5.0 mg/ml or 20 mg/ml
Sometimes prescribed for oral use, but extremely concentrated. Requires very precise measurement.
Example Calculation
Let's look at a practical example using the calculator above:
Rat Weight: 500 grams (0.5 kg)
Prescription: 1.0 mg/kg
Medicine: Dog Metacam (1.5 mg/ml)
Step 1: Calculate total mg required. 0.5 kg × 1.0 mg/kg = 0.5 mg
When measuring doses for rats, you should always use a 1ml insulin-style syringe (without the needle) or a dedicated oral syringe. These are typically marked in 0.01ml or 0.1ml increments. In the example above (0.33 ml), you would fill the syringe to the 33rd small tick mark if available, or roughly between the 0.3 and 0.4 lines.
Safety Warning
Meloxicam can be hard on the kidneys and liver if used long-term or in dehydrated animals. Always ensure your rat is hydrating well. Never change the dosage without consulting your veterinarian. If you suspect an overdose, contact a veterinarian immediately.