Neurological signs after Dexamethasone in dogs

The FDA has received 37 reports of neurological signs in dogs after Dexamethasone. That is 1.4% 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.

37Reports

84%Marked serious

11%Recovered

54%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

11 33%

1–2 days

10 30%

3–7 days

3 9.1%

1–4 weeks

3 9.1%

Over a month

6 18%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 11%

Still unwell when reported

10 27%

Died

10 27%

Euthanised

10 27%

Not known

3 8.1%

Problems reported at the same time

20 54%

18 49%

14 38%

13 35%

11 30%

11 30%

10 27%

9 24%

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 neurological signs in dogs?: 37 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).

Neurological signs with similar medicines

Neurological signs after Prednisone 63 reports · 0.7% of its reports

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