Increased respiratory rate after Dexamethasone in dogs

34 reports to the FDA describe increased respiratory rate in dogs given Dexamethasone. That is 1.2% 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.

34Reports

88%Marked serious

21%Recovered

41%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

18 62%

1–2 days

2 6.9%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

2 6.9%

Over a month

7 24%

How the animals did

Recovered

7 21%

Still unwell when reported

11 32%

Died

6 18%

Euthanised

8 24%

Not known

2 5.9%

Problems reported at the same time

14 41%

14 41%

14 41%

13 38%

13 38%

11 32%

11 32%

11 32%

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 increased respiratory rate in dogs?: 34 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 the same 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).

Increased respiratory rate with similar medicines

Increased respiratory rate after Prednisone 56 reports · 0.6% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dexamethasone in dogs · Medicines most reported with increased respiratory rate