Respiratory arrest after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in cats

The FDA has received 61 reports of respiratory arrest in cats after Dexmedetomidine. That is 2.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

61Reports

95%Marked serious

15%Recovered

77%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

55 92%

1–2 days

3 5.0%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

1 1.7%

Over a month

1 1.7%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 13%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.6%

Still unwell when reported

5 8.2%

Died

41 67%

Euthanised

6 9.8%

Problems reported at the same time

47 77%

42 69%

11 18%

7 11%

6 9.8%

6 9.8%

6 9.8%

5 8.2%

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 respiratory arrest in cats?: 61 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).

Respiratory arrest with similar medicines

Respiratory arrest after Buprenorphine 39 reports · 0.7% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dexmedetomidine in cats · Medicines most reported with respiratory arrest