Wobbliness (ataxia) after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in cats

117 reports to the FDA describe wobbliness (ataxia) in cats given Dexmedetomidine. That is 4.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.7% across reports for all cat medicines.

117Reports

48%Marked serious

23%Recovered

15%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

45 51%

1–2 days

32 36%

3–7 days

3 3.4%

1–4 weeks

6 6.8%

Over a month

2 2.3%

How the animals did

Recovered

27 23%

Still unwell when reported

45 38%

Died

5 4.3%

Euthanised

13 11%

Not known

27 23%

Problems reported at the same time

42 36%

29 25%

18 15%

18 15%

15 13%

Eye or vision problems

15 13%

Restlessness or agitation

14 12%

Dilated pupils

14 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 wobbliness (ataxia) in cats?: 117 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).

Wobbliness (ataxia) with similar medicines

Wobbliness (ataxia) after Buprenorphine 319 reports · 5.7% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dexmedetomidine in cats · Medicines most reported with wobbliness (ataxia)