Fever after Dexamethasone in dogs

271 reports to the FDA describe fever in dogs given Dexamethasone. That is 9.9% 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.

271Reports

80%Marked serious

15%Recovered

32%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

119 49%

1–2 days

49 20%

3–7 days

20 8.2%

1–4 weeks

20 8.2%

Over a month

35 14%

How the animals did

Recovered

42 15%

Still unwell when reported

120 44%

Died

43 16%

Euthanised

43 16%

Not known

23 8.5%

Problems reported at the same time

140 52%

139 51%

130 48%

88 32%

86 32%

84 31%

71 26%

70 26%

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 fever in dogs?: 271 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).

Fever with similar medicines

Fever after Prednisone 389 reports · 4.4% of its reports
Fever after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 68 reports · 3.2% of its reports
Fever after Prednisolone 54 reports · 4.5% of its reports

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