Vivaldis Firotail Firocoxib Tablets for Dogs | COX-2 Selective NSAID | Osteoarthritis Pain & Inflammation | Post-Operative Analgesia | 57mg & 227mg | 6 Tablets

VETERINARY PRESCRIPTION DRUG — For use in dogs only. Not for use in cats or other species. Not for human use. Do not use in dogs with known hypersensitivity to Firocoxib or other NSAIDs, or in dogs with active GI ulceration, bleeding disorders, hepatic or renal impairment. Do not use concurrently with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids. Keep out of reach of children. Store in a cool, dry place. Use under veterinary prescription and supervision only.

Vivaldis Firotail Firocoxib Tablets for Dogs (57mg & 227mg | 6 Tablets)

Vivaldis Firotail contains Firocoxib — a highly selective COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) inhibitor of the coxib class — for veterinary use in dogs. Firotail is indicated for the management of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and for the control of post-operative pain and inflammation following orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery in dogs. Available in two strengths: 57mg (small to medium dogs) and 227mg (large to giant breed dogs), 6 tablets per pack. For use under veterinary prescription only.

Composition (per tablet)

• Firocoxib — 57mg (small/medium dogs) or 227mg (large dogs): Highly selective COX-2 inhibitor, coxib class NSAID
• Excipients q.s.: Palatable tablet base; confirm excipient list from product label

Mechanism of Action

• COX-2 Selective Inhibition — Prostaglandin Synthesis Reduction: Firocoxib belongs to the coxib subclass of NSAIDs — the same structural and mechanistic class as celecoxib (human medicine) — characterised by highly selective, time-dependent inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) over COX-1; the arachidonic acid (AA) cascade: membrane phospholipids are cleaved by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) to release arachidonic acid (AA); AA is then metabolised by cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) to prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) via the prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase reaction (bis-oxygenation of AA to PGG2 followed by reduction to PGH2); PGH2 is subsequently converted by tissue-specific synthases to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), PGI2 (prostacyclin), thromboxane A2 (TXA2), and other eicosanoids; COX-1 vs COX-2 distinction: COX-1 (PTGS1) is constitutively expressed in most tissues including gastric mucosa (where PGE2 and PGI2 maintain the cytoprotective mucus layer via EP3 and IP receptors), renal tubular epithelium (where prostaglandins regulate afferent arteriolar tone and tubuloglomerular feedback), and platelets (where TXA2 drives platelet aggregation); COX-2 (PTGS2) is an inducible enzyme — upregulated at sites of tissue injury and inflammation by cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α), LPS, and growth factors; at inflammatory foci, COX-2-derived PGE2 binds EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4 receptors on peripheral nociceptors (sensitisation — reduced activation threshold of TRPV1/TRPA1 channels; peripheral sensitisation), dorsal root ganglia neurons, and spinal cord dorsal horn neurons (central sensitisation); Firocoxib’s COX-2 selectivity: Firocoxib has a COX-1:COX-2 selectivity ratio of approximately 384:1 in canine whole blood assays (one of the highest COX-2 selectivity ratios among veterinary NSAIDs), providing potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic efficacy with a substantially reduced risk of COX-1-mediated GI toxicity (gastric ulceration, haemorrhage) compared to non-selective NSAIDs (meloxicam, carprofen, aspirin); COX-2 selective inhibition reduces PGE2 at inflammatory sites, reducing peripheral nociceptor sensitisation, central sensitisation (wind-up), and inflammatory oedema; structural basis of selectivity: the COX-2 active site contains a larger hydrophobic side pocket (Ile523Val substitution vs COX-1 His523) that accommodates the bulkier methylsulfonyl pharmacophore of Firocoxib; this steric difference is the structural basis of coxib class COX-2 selectivity

Therapeutic Class

• Veterinary COX-2 selective NSAID (coxib class) — analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic — osteoarthritis, post-operative pain and inflammation — dogs — prescription drug

Indications

• Osteoarthritis (OA) pain and inflammation in dogs — chronic management of joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility
• Post-operative pain and inflammation following orthopaedic surgery (TPLO, fracture repair, joint replacement) and soft tissue surgery in dogs
• Acute musculoskeletal pain and inflammation in dogs

Dosage & Administration

• Firocoxib 57mg: for small to medium dogs; confirm weight-based dosing from prescribing veterinarian and product label
• Firocoxib 227mg: for large to giant breed dogs; confirm weight-based dosing from prescribing veterinarian and product label
• Standard dose: 5 mg/kg body weight once daily orally; confirm from label
• Administer with or without food; 6 tablets per pack
• Duration as directed by the veterinarian

Safety & Contraindications

• For dogs only — do not use in cats (Firocoxib is not approved for feline use and cats are highly sensitive to NSAID toxicity due to limited glucuronidation capacity)
• Contraindicated in dogs with known hypersensitivity to Firocoxib or any coxib/NSAID
• Contraindicated in dogs with active GI ulceration, haemorrhage, or GI perforation
• Contraindicated in dogs with hepatic impairment, renal impairment, or dehydration (NSAIDs reduce renal prostaglandin-mediated afferent arteriolar autoregulation, risking acute kidney injury in hypotensive or dehydrated patients)
• Do not use concurrently with other NSAIDs, corticosteroids (risk of additive GI toxicity), or nephrotoxic drugs
• Washout period required when switching from another NSAID or corticosteroid to Firocoxib (minimum 1 week for most NSAIDs; minimum 2 weeks for corticosteroids)
• Monitor hepatic and renal function in dogs on long-term therapy
• Not for human use; not for use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs without specific veterinary direction