Collapse after Dexamethasone in dogs

232 reports to the FDA describe collapse in dogs given Dexamethasone. That is 8.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.9% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

232Reports

92%Marked serious

18%Recovered

37%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

156 74%

1–2 days

11 5.2%

3–7 days

11 5.2%

1–4 weeks

11 5.2%

Over a month

23 11%

How the animals did

Recovered

42 18%

Still unwell when reported

92 40%

Died

59 25%

Euthanised

26 11%

Not known

13 5.6%

Problems reported at the same time

150 65%

146 63%

85 37%

84 36%

73 31%

72 31%

64 28%

62 27%

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 collapse in dogs?: 232 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).

Collapse with similar medicines

Collapse after Prednisone 218 reports · 2.4% of its reports
Collapse after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 28 reports · 1.3% of its reports
Collapse after Prednisolone 36 reports · 3.0% of its reports

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