Neutrophilia after Dexamethasone in dogs

185 reports to the FDA describe neutrophilia in dogs given Dexamethasone. That is 6.8% 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.

185Reports

83%Marked serious

7.6%Recovered

42%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

44 27%

1–2 days

26 16%

3–7 days

30 18%

1–4 weeks

30 18%

Over a month

33 20%

How the animals did

Recovered

13 7.0%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.5%

Still unwell when reported

69 37%

Died

35 19%

Euthanised

42 23%

Not known

25 14%

Problems reported at the same time

110 59%

109 59%

106 57%

102 55%

86 46%

77 42%

77 42%

59 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 neutrophilia in dogs?: 185 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).

Neutrophilia with similar medicines

Neutrophilia after Prednisone 350 reports · 3.9% of its reports
Neutrophilia after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 29 reports · 1.4% of its reports
Neutrophilia after Prednisolone 69 reports · 5.7% of its reports

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