Lateral recumbency after Dexamethasone in dogs

108 reports to the FDA describe lateral recumbency in dogs given Dexamethasone. That is 4.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

108Reports

94%Marked serious

18%Recovered

52%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

59 58%

1–2 days

10 9.9%

3–7 days

10 9.9%

1–4 weeks

8 7.9%

Over a month

14 14%

How the animals did

Recovered

19 18%

Still unwell when reported

30 28%

Died

29 27%

Euthanised

27 25%

Not known

3 2.8%

Problems reported at the same time

60 56%

56 52%

55 51%

41 38%

37 34%

37 34%

36 33%

34 31%

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 lateral recumbency in dogs?: 108 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).

Lateral recumbency with similar medicines

Lateral recumbency after Prednisone 80 reports · 0.9% of its reports

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