Metacam 5 mg/mL Solution for Injection
Metacam (meloxicam) holds a best-in-class position because of its long track record in dogs, predictable pharmacology and a well-established safety profile for perioperative and short-term postoperative pain control, making it a financially sensible choice for clinics that value reliability. Compared with the other injectables on this list it offers broad clinical familiarity and typically lower monitoring burden than older nonselective options like ketoprofen (Anafen), though it is less COX-2 selective than firocoxib (Previcox) and robenacoxib (Onsior). Its combination of efficacy, availability and often-competitive pricing versus branded COX-2 agents helps explain its widespread veterinary use for prescription injectable NSAID therapy in dogs.
Rapid relief
Gentle on tummy
Rapid relief
Gentle on tummy
Review Summary
"Metacam injectable is widely reported to provide reliable pain relief and anti-inflammatory effect in dogs with generally good tolerability; some long‑term users caution about gastrointestinal or renal side effects and recommend monitoring."
Vet-favorite wink
Active ingredient meloxicam; widely used NSAID for pain and inflammation in dogs.
Vet-favorite wink
Active ingredient meloxicam; widely used NSAID for pain and inflammation in dogs.
Increased Safety & Security
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Metacam (meloxicam) holds a best-in-class position because of its long track record in dogs, predictable pharmacology and a well-established safety profile for perioperative and short-term postoperative pain control, making it a financially sensible choice for clinics that value reliability. Compared with the other injectables on this list it offers broad clinical familiarity and typically lower monitoring burden than older nonselective options like ketoprofen (Anafen), though it is less COX-2 selective than firocoxib (Previcox) and robenacoxib (Onsior). Its combination of efficacy, availability and often-competitive pricing versus branded COX-2 agents helps explain its widespread veterinary use for prescription injectable NSAID therapy in dogs.
Rapid relief
Gentle on tummy
Vet-favorite wink
Active ingredient meloxicam; widely used NSAID for pain and inflammation in dogs.
Available as a 5 mg/mL injectable for perioperative pain control and osteoarthritis flare management.
Rapid relief
Gentle on tummy
Vet-favorite wink
Active ingredient meloxicam; widely used NSAID for pain and inflammation in dogs.
Available as a 5 mg/mL injectable for perioperative pain control and osteoarthritis flare management.
$40-120 CAD
Rimadyl Injectable 50 mg/mL
Rimadyl (carprofen) is a market leader because of its strong analgesic profile, extensive clinical data in canine musculoskeletal pain and cost-effective branded and generic options that make it attractive for longer-term management when injectable dosing is required. Relative to COX-2–targeted injectables like Previcox and Onsior, Rimadyl is less selective but often provides robust pain control at a lower price point; clinicians weigh that financial advantage against the need for patient-specific monitoring. Its established place in practice and broad availability keep it competitive for prescription injectable NSAID use in dogs.
Potent pain control
Long-lasting effect
Potent pain control
Long-lasting effect
Review Summary
"Rimadyl injectable is frequently praised for strong, fast-acting analgesia and improved mobility, though a minority of owners report adverse reactions (GI upset, liver concerns) and emphasize vet supervision."
Hound-approved nod
Active ingredient carprofen (Rimadyl); established NSAID for postoperative and musculoskeletal pain in dogs.
Hound-approved nod
Active ingredient carprofen (Rimadyl); established NSAID for postoperative and musculoskeletal pain in dogs.
Increased Safety & Security
Recreational Enjoyment
Rimadyl (carprofen) is a market leader because of its strong analgesic profile, extensive clinical data in canine musculoskeletal pain and cost-effective branded and generic options that make it attractive for longer-term management when injectable dosing is required. Relative to COX-2–targeted injectables like Previcox and Onsior, Rimadyl is less selective but often provides robust pain control at a lower price point; clinicians weigh that financial advantage against the need for patient-specific monitoring. Its established place in practice and broad availability keep it competitive for prescription injectable NSAID use in dogs.
Potent pain control
Long-lasting effect
Hound-approved nod
Active ingredient carprofen (Rimadyl); established NSAID for postoperative and musculoskeletal pain in dogs.
Typical use as an injectable for short-term control of acute pain and inflammation around surgery.
Potent pain control
Long-lasting effect
Hound-approved nod
Active ingredient carprofen (Rimadyl); established NSAID for postoperative and musculoskeletal pain in dogs.
Typical use as an injectable for short-term control of acute pain and inflammation around surgery.
$150-300 CAD
Onsior 20 mg/mL Solution for Injection
Onsior (robenacoxib) is recognized as a technical leader for canine injectable NSAID therapy because it is a highly COX-2–preferential agent with a rapid onset and a short systemic half-life that can reduce gastrointestinal exposure and be advantageous for acute perioperative pain. Compared with longer-acting COX-2 agents like Previcox and the mixed-selectivity options such as Metacam and Rimadyl, Onsior’s pharmacokinetics offer specific clinical advantages for short-duration, targeted analgesia, though that advantage often comes with higher per-dose cost. For practices focused on minimizing GI and renal risk in short-course protocols, Onsior’s profile and premium positioning make it a go-to prescription choice.
Surgical pain relief
Short-course dosing
Surgical pain relief
Short-course dosing
Review Summary
"Onsior injectable is commonly noted for effective short-term pain control with perceived better GI tolerability and quick onset, but availability and cost are occasional complaints among repeat users."
Sleek recovery vibe
Active ingredient robenacoxib (Onsior); designed for rapid onset perioperative pain and inflammation control in dogs.
Sleek recovery vibe
Active ingredient robenacoxib (Onsior); designed for rapid onset perioperative pain and inflammation control in dogs.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Onsior (robenacoxib) is recognized as a technical leader for canine injectable NSAID therapy because it is a highly COX-2–preferential agent with a rapid onset and a short systemic half-life that can reduce gastrointestinal exposure and be advantageous for acute perioperative pain. Compared with longer-acting COX-2 agents like Previcox and the mixed-selectivity options such as Metacam and Rimadyl, Onsior’s pharmacokinetics offer specific clinical advantages for short-duration, targeted analgesia, though that advantage often comes with higher per-dose cost. For practices focused on minimizing GI and renal risk in short-course protocols, Onsior’s profile and premium positioning make it a go-to prescription choice.
Surgical pain relief
Short-course dosing
Sleek recovery vibe
Active ingredient robenacoxib (Onsior); designed for rapid onset perioperative pain and inflammation control in dogs.
Formulated as a 20 mg/mL injectable allowing single-dose use around surgery in many cases.
Surgical pain relief
Short-course dosing
Sleek recovery vibe
Active ingredient robenacoxib (Onsior); designed for rapid onset perioperative pain and inflammation control in dogs.
Formulated as a 20 mg/mL injectable allowing single-dose use around surgery in many cases.
$180-320 CAD
Previcox Injectable
Previcox (firocoxib) is a market leader for chronic osteoarthritis and perioperative analgesia when once-daily, COX-2–selective coverage is desirable; its long duration of action and strong COX-2 selectivity offer technical advantages in reducing frequency of dosing and potentially lower GI side effects versus nonselective products. Financially, Previcox often commands a premium over nonselective NSAIDs and some short-acting COX-2 options, but clinics justify the cost when daily compliance and reduced monitoring are priorities compared with agents like Anafen or Rimadyl. Compared to Metacam and Onsior, Previcox is frequently chosen for longer-term NSAID strategies in dogs due to its sustained effect and branded trust.
Selective COX-2
Rapid mobility boost
Selective COX-2
Rapid mobility boost
Review Summary
"Previcox injectable (firocoxib) is regarded as effective for post‑operative and chronic pain with a favorable safety profile in many dogs, though some owners report variable responses and advise regular vet monitoring."
Park-run ready
Active ingredient firocoxib (Previcox injectable); COX-2 selective NSAID for canine pain and inflammation.
Park-run ready
Active ingredient firocoxib (Previcox injectable); COX-2 selective NSAID for canine pain and inflammation.
Recreational Enjoyment
Increased Safety & Security
Previcox (firocoxib) is a market leader for chronic osteoarthritis and perioperative analgesia when once-daily, COX-2–selective coverage is desirable; its long duration of action and strong COX-2 selectivity offer technical advantages in reducing frequency of dosing and potentially lower GI side effects versus nonselective products. Financially, Previcox often commands a premium over nonselective NSAIDs and some short-acting COX-2 options, but clinics justify the cost when daily compliance and reduced monitoring are priorities compared with agents like Anafen or Rimadyl. Compared to Metacam and Onsior, Previcox is frequently chosen for longer-term NSAID strategies in dogs due to its sustained effect and branded trust.
Selective COX-2
Rapid mobility boost
Park-run ready
Active ingredient firocoxib (Previcox injectable); COX-2 selective NSAID for canine pain and inflammation.
Used for postoperative pain and chronic conditions like osteoarthritis where COX-2 selectivity is preferred.
Selective COX-2
Rapid mobility boost
Park-run ready
Active ingredient firocoxib (Previcox injectable); COX-2 selective NSAID for canine pain and inflammation.
Used for postoperative pain and chronic conditions like osteoarthritis where COX-2 selectivity is preferred.
$120-280 CAD
Anafen Injection 50 mg/mL
Anafen (ketoprofen) is positioned as a cost-conscious, potent nonselective NSAID useful for short-term, strong analgesia and anti-inflammatory needs, making it attractive for clinics managing acute pain where immediate cost savings are needed. Versus the COX-2–preferential injectables (Onsior, Previcox) and commonly used options like Metacam and Rimadyl, Anafen’s nonselective profile can mean higher potential GI/renal risk with extended use, so its financial advantage is balanced by a need for tighter duration control and patient selection. For practitioners seeking an effective, lower-priced injectable NSAID for short courses in dogs, Anafen remains a pragmatic prescription choice.
Fast anti-inflammatory
Multi-use dosing
Fast anti-inflammatory
Multi-use dosing
Review Summary
"Anafen (ketoprofen) injection is often reported as effective for acute pain relief, particularly post‑op, but longer‑term users warn of a higher incidence of GI or renal side effects and recommend cautious use."
Trail-ready pep
Active ingredient ketoprofen (Anafen); nonsteroidal analgesic and anti-inflammatory for dogs.
Trail-ready pep
Active ingredient ketoprofen (Anafen); nonsteroidal analgesic and anti-inflammatory for dogs.
Time-Saving Convenience
Increased Safety & Security
Anafen (ketoprofen) is positioned as a cost-conscious, potent nonselective NSAID useful for short-term, strong analgesia and anti-inflammatory needs, making it attractive for clinics managing acute pain where immediate cost savings are needed. Versus the COX-2–preferential injectables (Onsior, Previcox) and commonly used options like Metacam and Rimadyl, Anafen’s nonselective profile can mean higher potential GI/renal risk with extended use, so its financial advantage is balanced by a need for tighter duration control and patient selection. For practitioners seeking an effective, lower-priced injectable NSAID for short courses in dogs, Anafen remains a pragmatic prescription choice.
Fast anti-inflammatory
Multi-use dosing
Trail-ready pep
Active ingredient ketoprofen (Anafen); nonsteroidal analgesic and anti-inflammatory for dogs.
Often used for acute musculoskeletal pain and postoperative inflammation as a 50 mg/mL injectable.
Fast anti-inflammatory
Multi-use dosing
Trail-ready pep
Active ingredient ketoprofen (Anafen); nonsteroidal analgesic and anti-inflammatory for dogs.
Often used for acute musculoskeletal pain and postoperative inflammation as a 50 mg/mL injectable.
$50-130 CAD