Eye or vision problems after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in dogs

The FDA has received 53 reports of eye or vision problems in dogs after Dexmedetomidine. That is 1.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.7% across reports for all dog medicines.

53Reports

58%Marked serious

34%Recovered

21%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

27 71%

1–2 days

5 13%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

1 2.6%

Over a month

5 13%

How the animals did

Recovered

17 32%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.9%

Still unwell when reported

15 28%

Died

6 11%

Euthanised

5 9.4%

Not known

9 17%

Problems reported at the same time

15 28%

13 25%

13 25%

11 21%

10 19%

Abnormal menace reflex test

10 19%

Seizures

9 17%

Restlessness or agitation

9 17%

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 eye or vision problems in dogs?: 53 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).

All reported side effects of Dexmedetomidine in dogs · Medicines most reported with eye or vision problems