Hair loss after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in cats

The FDA has received 76 reports of hair loss in cats after Dexmedetomidine. That is 2.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

76Reports

7.9%Marked serious

11%Recovered

1.3%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

10 13%

1–2 days

18 24%

3–7 days

28 37%

1–4 weeks

17 23%

Over a month

2 2.7%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 11%

Still unwell when reported

41 54%

Euthanised

1 1.3%

Not known

26 34%

Problems reported at the same time

Application site reaction

34 45%

Itching

20 26%

Injection site reaction

5 6.6%

Skin redness

5 6.6%

Loss of appetite

5 6.6%

Skin ulcer

4 5.3%

Skin rash or irritation

4 5.3%

Skin scab

3 3.9%

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 hair loss in cats?: 76 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 4 days 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).

Hair loss with similar medicines

Hair loss after Buprenorphine 387 reports · 6.9% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dexmedetomidine in cats · Medicines most reported with hair loss