Cough after Dexamethasone in dogs

The FDA has received 74 reports of cough in dogs after Dexamethasone. That is 2.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.8% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

74Reports

78%Marked serious

12%Recovered

32%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

28 41%

1–2 days

8 12%

3–7 days

8 12%

1–4 weeks

11 16%

Over a month

13 19%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 11%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.4%

Still unwell when reported

30 41%

Died

11 15%

Euthanised

13 18%

Not known

11 15%

Problems reported at the same time

33 45%

25 34%

24 32%

24 32%

24 32%

22 30%

19 26%

Abnormal radiograph finding

17 23%

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 cough in dogs?: 74 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 1 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).

Cough with similar medicines

Cough after Prednisone 183 reports · 2.0% of its reports
Cough after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 66 reports · 3.2% of its reports
Cough after Prednisolone 40 reports · 3.3% of its reports

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