Collapse after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in dogs

81 reports to the FDA describe collapse in dogs given Dexmedetomidine. That is 1.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.9% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

81Reports

75%Marked serious

25%Recovered

51%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

40 68%

1–2 days

6 10%

3–7 days

2 3.4%

1–4 weeks

3 5.1%

Over a month

8 14%

How the animals did

Recovered

20 25%

Still unwell when reported

12 15%

Died

37 46%

Euthanised

4 4.9%

Not known

8 9.9%

Problems reported at the same time

41 51%

19 23%

15 19%

13 16%

12 15%

12 15%

11 14%

10 12%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Dexmedetomidine sedation and pain relief (also an oral gel for noise anxiety).

Products with this ingredient include Dexdomitor, Sileo. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Dexmedetomidine cause collapse in dogs?: 81 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).

Collapse with similar medicines

Collapse after Buprenorphine 36 reports · 2.3% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dexmedetomidine in dogs · Medicines most reported with collapse