Breathing problems after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in cats

225 reports to the FDA describe breathing problems in cats given Dexmedetomidine. That is 8.6% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.7% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

225Reports

63%Marked serious

25%Recovered

26%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

155 80%

1–2 days

21 11%

3–7 days

4 2.1%

1–4 weeks

8 4.1%

Over a month

5 2.6%

How the animals did

Recovered

57 25%

Still unwell when reported

79 35%

Died

43 19%

Euthanised

15 6.7%

Not known

31 14%

Problems reported at the same time

70 31%

59 26%

42 19%

40 18%

37 16%

Restlessness or agitation

33 15%

Loss of appetite

29 13%

Abnormal radiograph finding

26 12%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Dexmedetomidine sedation and pain relief (also an oral gel for noise anxiety).

Products with this ingredient include Dexdomitor, Sileo. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Dexmedetomidine cause breathing problems in cats?: 225 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 the same 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).

Breathing problems with similar medicines

Breathing problems after Buprenorphine 341 reports · 6.1% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dexmedetomidine in cats · Medicines most reported with breathing problems