Corneal ulcer after Dexamethasone in dogs

35 reports to the FDA describe corneal ulcer in dogs given Dexamethasone. That is 1.3% 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.

35Reports

97%Marked serious

34%Recovered

11%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

15 54%

1–2 days

3 11%

3–7 days

1 3.6%

1–4 weeks

5 18%

Over a month

4 14%

How the animals did

Recovered

12 34%

Still unwell when reported

9 26%

Euthanised

4 11%

Not known

10 29%

Problems reported at the same time

Vomiting

16 46%

Loss of appetite

14 40%

Swelling

11 31%

Dry eye

11 31%

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca

11 31%

Schirmer tear test

11 31%

Lethargy

10 29%

Ocular discharge

10 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 corneal ulcer in dogs?: 35 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).

Corneal ulcer with similar medicines

Corneal ulcer after Prednisone 63 reports · 0.7% of its reports

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