Blood problems after Dexamethasone in dogs

The FDA has received 344 reports of blood problems in dogs after Dexamethasone. That is 13% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.8% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

344Reports

88%Marked serious

7.3%Recovered

54%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

73 24%

1–2 days

55 18%

3–7 days

53 17%

1–4 weeks

58 19%

Over a month

64 21%

How the animals did

Recovered

24 7.0%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.3%

Still unwell when reported

117 34%

Died

73 21%

Euthanised

112 33%

Not known

17 4.9%

Problems reported at the same time

195 57%

195 57%

186 54%

172 50%

164 48%

117 34%

91 26%

86 25%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

107

8–11 years

100

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 problems in dogs?: 344 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).

Blood problems with similar medicines

Blood problems after Prednisone 671 reports · 7.5% of its reports
Blood problems after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 89 reports · 4.3% of its reports
Blood problems after Prednisolone 130 reports · 11% of its reports

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