Lameness after Dexamethasone in dogs

75 reports to the FDA describe lameness in dogs given Dexamethasone. That is 2.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

75Reports

79%Marked serious

8.0%Recovered

21%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

17 28%

1–2 days

11 18%

3–7 days

6 9.8%

1–4 weeks

11 18%

Over a month

16 26%

How the animals did

Recovered

6 8.0%

Still unwell when reported

45 60%

Died

6 8.0%

Euthanised

10 13%

Not known

8 11%

Problems reported at the same time

35 47%

30 40%

27 36%

25 33%

24 32%

21 28%

17 23%

16 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 lameness in dogs?: 75 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).

Lameness with similar medicines

Lameness after Prednisone 242 reports · 2.7% of its reports
Lameness after Prednisolone 22 reports · 1.8% of its reports

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