Establishing Appropriate Pain Drug Dosing for Marine Mammals

Like many medications administered to pinnipeds (flippered marine mammals), pain medication dosing often is extrapolated from what we know about these drugs in dogs. However, the same drug may act very differently in different species and may not achieve adequate pain relief for the patient. Researchers will assess a single dose of meloxicam, a widely used anti-inflammatory and pain medication, to establish safe dosing for Pacific harbor seals and California sea lions. Findings will help veterinarians safely and therefore more effectively treat inflammation and pain in these marine mammals.