Blood in urine after Dexamethasone in dogs

The FDA has received 31 reports of blood in urine in dogs after Dexamethasone. That is 1.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

31Reports

87%Marked serious

3.2%Recovered

61%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

9 30%

1–2 days

4 13%

3–7 days

8 27%

1–4 weeks

5 17%

Over a month

4 13%

How the animals did

Recovered

1 3.2%

Still unwell when reported

10 32%

Died

9 29%

Euthanised

10 32%

Not known

1 3.2%

Problems reported at the same time

21 68%

19 61%

17 55%

17 55%

15 48%

14 45%

13 42%

11 35%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Dexamethasone reduces inflammation and immune activity.

Steroids commonly cause increased thirst, urination and appetite, especially at higher doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Dexamethasone cause blood in urine in dogs?: 31 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 3 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).

Blood in urine with similar medicines

Blood in urine after Prednisone 58 reports · 0.6% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dexamethasone in dogs · Medicines most reported with blood in urine