Bruising after Dexamethasone in dogs

The FDA has received 65 reports of bruising in dogs after Dexamethasone. That is 2.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

65Reports

83%Marked serious

14%Recovered

46%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

20 38%

1–2 days

8 15%

3–7 days

8 15%

1–4 weeks

15 28%

Over a month

2 3.8%

How the animals did

Recovered

9 14%

Still unwell when reported

21 32%

Died

11 17%

Euthanised

19 29%

Not known

5 7.7%

Problems reported at the same time

34 52%

29 45%

29 45%

28 43%

27 42%

25 38%

20 31%

19 29%

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 bruising in dogs?: 65 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 2 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).

Bruising with similar medicines

Bruising after Prednisone 89 reports · 1.0% of its reports

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