Metacam

[Moonstone]

Millie is 11 years and 4 months old. She's being treated for arthritis with metacam, having repeat prescriptions of Meloxicam (1.5mg/ml oral suspension for dogs). However, I've just discovered that this time she's been Arthrocam, 1.5mg/ml of metacam as before but this time with added 5mg/ml of sodium benzoate. What's the sodium benzoate for? It doesn't feel like a good idea, giving her salt, and it seems like a lot of salt for a rabbit. Thank you.

 

[InspectorMorse]

Sodium benzoate is a preservative, it’s in Meloxicam too.

https://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/productinformationdatabase/files/SPC_Documents/SPC_2177020.PDF

 

[Shimmer]

Sodium benzoate is generally used as a preservative, but it also has some anti-inflammatory properties. It is in metacam at 1.5mg/ml. Arthrocam is a different version of a similar drug category but with a higher level of sodium benzoate - sodium benzoate doesn't seem to be listed as an active ingredient, though. I wouldn't worry about it - your vet has prescribed it after assessing Millie. She's doing really well at over 11 yo and anything that helps with her quality of life now is worth doing. If you are worried, I would ask your vet why they changed from Metacam to Arthrocam.

Sodium Benzoate—Harmfulness and Potential Use in Therapies for Disorders Related to the Nervous System: A Review

Currently, due to the large number of reports regarding the harmfulness of food additives, more and more consumers follow the so-called “clean label” trend, i.e., prefer and choose the least-processed food products. One of the compounds ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

https://vmd.defra.gov.uk/ProductInformationDatabase/files/UKPAR_Documents/UKPAR_2480194.PDF

 

[Moonstone]

Thank you. Yes, I think I'll talk to the vet as the Arthrocam has 10 times as much sodium benzoate. I just don't think that rabbits should be fed salt, though I accept it has some anti-inflammatory properties I think I have that covered with the herbal medication she's on.