Heart block 2nd degree after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in dogs

27 reports to the FDA describe heart block 2nd degree in dogs given Dexmedetomidine. That is 0.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.0% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

27Reports

63%Marked serious

78%Recovered

3.7%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

17 94%

1–2 days

0 0.0%

3–7 days

1 5.6%

1–4 weeks

0 0.0%

Over a month

0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

21 78%

Still unwell when reported

2 7.4%

Euthanised

1 3.7%

Not known

3 11%

Problems reported at the same time

Bradycardia

14 52%

Didn't work as expected

5 19%

Arrhythmia

4 15%

Drug administration error

3 11%

Heart block 1st degree

3 11%

Heart block 3rd degree

3 11%

Sedation prolonged

2 7.4%

Breathing problems

2 7.4%

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 heart block 2nd degree in dogs?: 27 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 heart block 2nd degree