Decreased red blood cell count after Dexamethasone in dogs

66 reports to the FDA describe decreased red blood cell count in dogs given 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.

66Reports

88%Marked serious

1.5%Recovered

56%Died or euthanised

8 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

11 19%

1–2 days

7 12%

3–7 days

10 17%

1–4 weeks

11 19%

Over a month

20 34%

How the animals did

Recovered

1 1.5%

Still unwell when reported

13 20%

Died

13 20%

Euthanised

24 36%

Not known

15 23%

Problems reported at the same time

43 65%

38 58%

37 56%

34 52%

33 50%

27 41%

27 41%

Decreased haemoglobin

25 38%

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 decreased red blood cell count in dogs?: 66 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 8 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).

Decreased red blood cell count with similar medicines

Decreased red blood cell count after Prednisone 117 reports · 1.3% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dexamethasone in dogs · Medicines most reported with decreased red blood cell count