Kidney problems after Dexamethasone in dogs

244 reports to the FDA describe kidney problems in dogs given Dexamethasone. That is 9.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

244Reports

89%Marked serious

3.7%Recovered

59%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

72 34%

1–2 days

36 17%

3–7 days

27 13%

1–4 weeks

26 12%

Over a month

52 24%

How the animals did

Recovered

9 3.7%

Still unwell when reported

76 31%

Died

68 28%

Euthanised

77 32%

Not known

14 5.7%

Problems reported at the same time

152 62%

144 59%

129 53%

126 52%

116 48%

91 37%

74 30%

69 28%

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 kidney problems in dogs?: 244 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 2 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).

Kidney problems with similar medicines

Kidney problems after Prednisone 484 reports · 5.4% of its reports
Kidney problems after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 83 reports · 4.0% of its reports
Kidney problems after Prednisolone 70 reports · 5.8% of its reports

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