Excessive thirst after Dexamethasone in dogs

99 reports to the FDA describe excessive thirst in dogs given Dexamethasone. That is 3.6% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

99Reports

76%Marked serious

7.1%Recovered

22%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

23 27%

1–2 days

14 17%

3–7 days

10 12%

1–4 weeks

20 24%

Over a month

17 20%

How the animals did

Recovered

6 6.1%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.0%

Still unwell when reported

49 49%

Died

13 13%

Euthanised

9 9.1%

Not known

21 21%

Problems reported at the same time

65 66%

44 44%

39 39%

38 38%

35 35%

30 30%

25 25%

21 21%

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 excessive thirst in dogs?: 99 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 4 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).

Excessive thirst with similar medicines

Excessive thirst after Prednisone 498 reports · 5.6% of its reports
Excessive thirst after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 128 reports · 6.1% of its reports
Excessive thirst after Prednisolone 57 reports · 4.7% of its reports

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