Meloxicam may induce nephrotoxicity in California sea lions with chronic domoic acid toxicosis
- Pharmacokinetics
- Domoic acid
- Medicine
Abstract
Objective
To describe biochemical and pathologic findings associated with meloxicam-associated nephrotoxicity in California sea lions (CSLs) with concurrent evidence of chronic domoic acid toxicosis.
Animals
Stranded free-ranging CSLs treated with meloxicam while undergoing rehabilitation in California between 2017 and 2023.
Clinical Presentation
6 adult females and 1 male pup were included in this case series due to postmortem evidence of meloxicamassociated nephrotoxicity. Five patients were in treatment for suspected domoic acid toxicosis, and 2 were in treatment for malnutrition. Three individuals showed evidence of antemortem renal impairment (azotemia, electrolyte derangements, and clinical decline), while the other 4 were diagnosed postmortem.
Results
6 of the 7 CSLs for which serum was available before and after treatment with meloxicam developed a significant increase in serum creatinine, BUN, phosphorous, and potassium following treatment. At necropsy, renal papillary necrosis was evident on gross and histologic examination consistent with meloxicam-associated nephrotoxicity for all 7 cases. These individuals also had hippocampal atrophy supportive of chronic domoic acid toxicosis.
Clinical Relevance
This is the first report of meloxicam-associated nephrotoxicity in pinnipeds. While multiple factors such as dehydration, nutrition, other medication, and/or compromised immune function may have contributed to the development of nephrotoxicity, further evaluation of renal effects of domoic acid as well as effects of NSAIDs is warranted in CSLs.
Peters, M., Duignan, P., Martinez, M. E., Trumbull, E., Papich, M. G., & Field, C. L. (2025). Meloxicam may induce nephrotoxicity in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) with chronic domoic acid toxicosis. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1–7.
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{"image":"\/People\/Portrait\/cropped-images\/PD_Gray whale Pacifica_IMG_0552-0-0-1270-992-1775170630.jpeg","alt":"Padraig Duignan","title":"P\u00e1draig Duignan","text":"Senior Director, Research Pathology","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/person\/padraig-duignan","link_text":"Read Bio"}
{"image":"\/People\/Portrait\/cara-field.jpg","alt":"Cara Field","title":"Cara Field","text":"Senior Director, Conservation Medicine","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/person\/cara-field","link_text":"Read Bio"}
{"image":"\/People\/Portrait\/maggie-martinez.jpg","alt":"Maggie Martinez","title":"Maggie Martinez","text":"Associate Director, Veterinary Pathology","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/person\/maggie-martinez","link_text":"Read Bio"}
{"image":"\/People\/Photo Not Available - Logo.png","alt":"","title":"Emily Trumbull","text":"Relief Veterinarian","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/person\/emily-trumbull","link_text":"Read Bio"}
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