title: Effects of meloxicam on hematologic and plasma biochemical analysis variables and results of histologic examination of tissue specimens of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of meloxicam on values of hematologic and plasma biochemical analysis variables and results of histologic examination of tissue specimens of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).
  
  
  METHODS
  30 adult Japanese quail.
  
  
  METHODS
  15 quail underwent laparoscopic examination of the left kidneys, and 15 quail underwent laparoscopic examination and biopsy of the left kidneys. Quail in each of these groups received meloxicam (2.0 mg/kg, IM, q 12 h; n = 10) or a saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (0.05 mL, IM, q 12 h; control birds; 5) for 14 days. A CBC and plasma biochemical analyses were performed at the start of the study and within 3 hours after the last treatment. Birds were euthanized and necropsies were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No adverse effects of treatments were observed, and no significant changes in values of hematologic variables were detected during the study. Plasma uric acid concentrations and creatine kinase or aspartate aminotransferase activities were significantly different before versus after treatment for some groups of birds. Gross lesions identified during necropsy included lesions at renal biopsy sites and adjacent air sacs (attributed to the biopsy procedure) and pectoral muscle hemorrhage and discoloration (at sites of injection). Substantial histopathologic lesions were limited to pectoral muscle necrosis, and severity was greater for meloxicam-treated versus control birds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Meloxicam (2.0 mg/kg, IM, q 12 h for 14 days) did not cause substantial alterations in function of or histopathologic findings for the kidneys of Japanese quail but did induce muscle necrosis; repeated IM administration of meloxicam to quail may be contraindicated.
authors.affiliation: William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.forename: Molly E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Church
authors.forename: Thomas B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Farver
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Lowenstine
authors.forename: Sean D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paul-Murphy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood*; D003370:Coturnix / Q000097:blood*; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D000077239:Meloxicam; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013843:Thiazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D013843:Thiazines; D013844:Thiazoles; D014527:Uric Acid; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D000077239:Meloxicam