Seizures after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in cats

107 reports to the FDA describe seizures in cats given Dexmedetomidine. That is 4.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.6% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

107Reports

79%Marked serious

31%Recovered

28%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

65 71%

1–2 days

20 22%

3–7 days

4 4.4%

1–4 weeks

2 2.2%

Over a month

0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

33 31%

Still unwell when reported

24 22%

Died

17 16%

Euthanised

13 12%

Not known

20 19%

Problems reported at the same time

29 27%

15 14%

14 13%

14 13%

Eye or vision problems

13 12%

Lethargy

12 11%

Restlessness or agitation

11 10%

Loss of appetite

11 10%

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 seizures in cats?: 107 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).

Seizures with similar medicines

Seizures after Buprenorphine 161 reports · 2.9% of its reports

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