Excessive thirst after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in dogs

60 reports to the FDA describe excessive thirst in dogs given Dexmedetomidine. That is 1.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all dog medicines.

60Reports

72%Marked serious

22%Recovered

32%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

13 28%

1–2 days

10 21%

3–7 days

8 17%

1–4 weeks

9 19%

Over a month

7 15%

How the animals did

Recovered

12 20%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.7%

Still unwell when reported

16 27%

Died

3 5.0%

Euthanised

16 27%

Not known

12 20%

Problems reported at the same time

38 63%

31 52%

30 50%

28 47%

24 40%

19 32%

17 28%

14 23%

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 excessive thirst in dogs?: 60 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 3 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).

Excessive thirst with similar medicines

Excessive thirst after Buprenorphine 25 reports · 1.6% of its reports

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