What the study found
The authors say injectable meloxicam is still widely used in feline practice even though it has been associated with acute kidney injury, or AKI, which means sudden kidney damage. They also state that evidence of this association appeared in a clinical trial submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration but was omitted from the published journal version.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors suggest these issues raise questions about the approval process for meloxicam and about the influence of pharmaceutical industry sponsorship on veterinary prescribing practices and policy. They also note ethical concerns because the trial was financially sponsored by the drug manufacturer and veterinary organizations promoting meloxicam were also financially supported by that manufacturer.
What the researchers tested
This is a viewpoint article rather than a primary experiment. The authors examined information from a clinical trial submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as part of a New Animal Drug Application and compared it with the published version in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
What worked and what didn't
The abstract says the submitted trial data showed an association between injectable meloxicam and AKI. It also says those data were not included in the published journal article, which the authors present as a key concern.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not provide detailed study methods, sample size, or the full evidence supporting the AKI association. It also does not describe limitations beyond the concerns the authors raise about publication, sponsorship, and approval.
Key points
- Injectable meloxicam is described as still widely used in cats despite AKI concerns.
- The authors say FDA-submitted trial data showed an AKI association.
- They state those data were omitted from the published JAVMA version of the trial.
- The paper raises ethical concerns about manufacturer sponsorship and veterinary promotion.
- The article questions meloxicam's approval process and industry influence.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Question raised over injectable meloxicam approval in cats
- Authors:
- Matthew K. Wun, Michael H. Court, Nicolás F. Villarino, Richard Malik
- Institutions:
- Cooperative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology, Orthopedic Specialty Hospital, University of Arizona, Washington State University, Washington State University, Washington State University
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-01
- DOI:
- 10.1111/jvp.70060
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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