Decreased haemoglobin after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in dogs

30 reports to the FDA describe decreased haemoglobin in dogs given Dexmedetomidine. That is 0.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

30Reports

87%Marked serious

13%Recovered

40%Died or euthanised

14 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 19%

1–2 days

6 23%

3–7 days

2 7.7%

1–4 weeks

4 15%

Over a month

9 35%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 13%

Still unwell when reported

6 20%

Died

3 10%

Euthanised

9 30%

Not known

8 27%

Problems reported at the same time

Loss of appetite

20 67%

Decreased red blood cell count

19 63%

17 57%

16 53%

15 50%

14 47%

13 43%

13 43%

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 decreased haemoglobin in dogs?: 30 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 14 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).

Decreased haemoglobin with similar medicines

Decreased haemoglobin after Buprenorphine 21 reports · 1.3% of its reports

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