Didn't prevent heartworm after Dexamethasone in dogs

The FDA has received 81 reports of didn't prevent heartworm in dogs after Dexamethasone. That is 3.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 13% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

81Reports
56%Marked serious
2.5%Recovered
6.2%Died or euthanised
145 daysTypical onset
SponsoredWorried about your pet? Ask a veterinarian online, 24/7

How soon it started

Same day
0 0.0%
1–2 days
0 0.0%
3–7 days
0 0.0%
1–4 weeks
4 8.5%
Over a month
43 91%

How the animals did

Recovered
2 2.5%
Still unwell when reported
35 43%
Died
3 3.7%
Euthanised
2 2.5%
Not known
39 48%

Problems reported at the same time

Liver problems
10 12%
Breathing problems
7 8.6%
Vomiting
6 7.4%
Death
5 6.2%
Loss of appetite
5 6.2%
Didn't work as expected
5 6.2%
Lethargy
5 6.2%
Weight loss
4 4.9%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
2
1–3 years
38
4–7 years
28
8–11 years
9
12+ years
3

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 didn't prevent heartworm in dogs?
81 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 145 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).

Didn't prevent heartworm with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Dexamethasone in dogs · Medicines most reported with didn't prevent heartworm