Lateral recumbency after Dexamethasone in cats

37 reports to the FDA describe lateral recumbency in cats given Dexamethasone. That is 4.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.5% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

37Reports

97%Marked serious

11%Recovered

65%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

15 42%

1–2 days

9 25%

3–7 days

5 14%

1–4 weeks

4 11%

Over a month

3 8.3%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 11%

Still unwell when reported

6 16%

Died

10 27%

Euthanised

14 38%

Not known

3 8.1%

Problems reported at the same time

24 65%

15 41%

14 38%

13 35%

13 35%

9 24%

9 24%

9 24%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Dexamethasone reduces inflammation and immune activity.

Steroids commonly cause increased thirst, urination and appetite, especially at higher doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Dexamethasone cause lateral recumbency in cats?: 37 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 1 day of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Lateral recumbency with similar medicines

Lateral recumbency after Prednisolone 21 reports · 1.7% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dexamethasone in cats · Medicines most reported with lateral recumbency