Diabetic ketoacidosis after Dextrose in cats

26 reports to the FDA describe diabetic ketoacidosis in cats given Dextrose. That is 32% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

26Reports

100%Marked serious

23%Recovered

23%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

3 13%

1–2 days

4 17%

3–7 days

8 35%

1–4 weeks

1 4.3%

Over a month

7 30%

How the animals did

Recovered

6 23%

Still unwell when reported

10 38%

Died

1 3.8%

Euthanised

5 19%

Not known

4 15%

Problems reported at the same time

17 65%

17 65%

15 58%

12 46%

12 46%

11 42%

11 42%

10 38%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Dextrose cause diabetic ketoacidosis in cats?: 26 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).

All reported side effects of Dextrose in cats · Medicines most reported with diabetic ketoacidosis