Wobbliness (ataxia) after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in dogs

The FDA has received 122 reports of wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs after Dexmedetomidine. That is 2.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.6% across reports for all dog medicines.

122Reports

49%Marked serious

27%Recovered

18%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

43 49%

1–2 days

20 23%

3–7 days

6 6.8%

1–4 weeks

10 11%

Over a month

9 10%

How the animals did

Recovered

33 27%

Still unwell when reported

41 34%

Died

11 9.0%

Euthanised

11 9.0%

Not known

26 21%

Problems reported at the same time

33 27%

29 24%

28 23%

23 19%

22 18%

17 14%

16 13%

Eye or vision problems

15 12%

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 wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs?: 122 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 1 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).

Wobbliness (ataxia) with similar medicines

Wobbliness (ataxia) after Buprenorphine 51 reports · 3.2% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dexmedetomidine in dogs · Medicines most reported with wobbliness (ataxia)