Lymphopenia after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in dogs

46 reports to the FDA describe lymphopenia in dogs given Dexmedetomidine. That is 0.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

46Reports

76%Marked serious

11%Recovered

28%Died or euthanised

8 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 14%

1–2 days

9 24%

3–7 days

4 11%

1–4 weeks

7 19%

Over a month

12 32%

How the animals did

Recovered

5 11%

Still unwell when reported

16 35%

Died

4 8.7%

Euthanised

9 20%

Not known

12 26%

Problems reported at the same time

29 63%

26 57%

20 43%

20 43%

14 30%

13 28%

13 28%

13 28%

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 lymphopenia in dogs?: 46 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 8 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).

Lymphopenia with similar medicines

Lymphopenia after Buprenorphine 52 reports · 3.3% of its reports

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