Dexamethasone for Dogs: A Steroid to Treat Several Common Canine Conditions
Key takeaways:
Dexamethasone (Azium, Decadron) is a steroid medication for dogs that is much more powerful than prednisone.
Steroids have many uses for dogs, including suppressing autoimmune diseases and treating allergic responses, inflammation, and cancers.
Common side effects of steroids like dexamethasone include increased drinking and urinating and gastrointestinal upset.
Table of contents
If you’re a pet owner, you’ve probably heard about steroids for dogs. Steroids can help with pain, inflammation, and allergic reactions in dogs.
Prednisone is one common steroid used to treat dogs, but it may not be the right choice for your pup. If not, your veterinarian may prescribe another steroid medication called dexamethasone (Azium, Decadron).
Dexamethasone for dogs at a glance
Common names | Dexamethasone (Azium, Decadron) |
What it treats | Cushing’s disease testing, Addison’s disease, pain, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, cancer, acute allergic reactions, some eye conditions |
How it comes (forms) | Injection, eye drops, oral tablets |
Dosage | Depends on a dog’s weight and the condition being treated |
Common side effects | Increased need to drink and urinate, increased or decreased appetite, panting, restlessness, vomiting, diarrhea |
Cost |
What is dexamethasone, and how does it work?
Dexamethasone is a type of steroid called a glucocorticoid. This type of steroid affects virtually every cell type and system in the body in some way.
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For dogs, dexamethasone is a fast-acting and long-acting steroid. It is about 10 times stronger than prednisone.
What is dexamethasone used for in dogs?
Dexamethasone has several typical uses in dogs. It’s used to:
Test for Cushing’s disease
Supplement treatment for dogs with Addison’s disease, a condition where the body cannot produce enough steroid hormones
Treat dogs in an Addisonian crisis
Reduce pain and inflammation
Suppress an overactive immune system
Treat cancer
Treat an acute allergic reaction
When vets prescribe dogs an oral steroid, they often recommend prednisone (or prednisolone). Dexamethasone has the same effects on the body as these medications. But dexamethasone is stronger, starts working faster, and lasts longer in the body.
How is Dexamethasone given to dogs, and what is the recommended dosage?
Dexamethasone is most often given to dogs as an injection. Because of this, your vet will most likely oversee its administration. The 2 mg/mL injection is the only form of dexamethasone that is FDA approved for use in dogs.
Your veterinarian may recommend a different dose based on your dog’s condition and individual needs. Vets use lower doses for anti-inflammatory effects. Higher, more frequent doses are used to suppress the immune system.
Signs of pain: How many signs of dog pain can you recognize? Check out this list to brush up your knowledge.
Pain medications for dogs: If your dog experiences pain, there are several treatment options available. Here are the most common pain medications for dogs.
Skip the ibuprofen. Common human pain medications, like ibuprofen, may seem harmless, but they can be toxic to dogs. Learn why you should never give a dog ibuprofen.
Dexamethasone sodium phosphate (Dex SP) has a faster onset time than regular dexamethasone. This form is used more frequently in general — and especially in emergency cases. Its use in dogs is off-label, which is common in veterinary medicine.
When vets prescribe dogs the oral tablets, they are one of the human brands or a generic form. The tablets are also used off-label. Dexamethasone tablets are best given to dogs with food. If vomiting occurs despite giving your dog the medication with food, contact your veterinarian.
Dexamethasone typically remains in a dog’s body for at least 48 hours. Because of this and the strength of the medication, vets prescribe the oral form of dexamethasone for at-home use less often to ensure a dog’s safety.
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Dexamethasone may also be used as an eye drop, often in combination with an antimicrobial medication. This is usually only for eye conditions where a corneal ulcer is not present.
What should you do if your dog misses a dose of dexamethasone?
Steroid medication schedules can vary quite a bit, so it may be best to contact your vet for advice if your dog misses a dose of dexamethasone. But here are some general guidelines to keep in mind if your dog taking dexamethasone once or twice a day:
If your dog misses a dose of the medication, try to give them their next dose as close to when it is due as possible.
If your dog is taking dexamethasone every 24 hours and less than 12 hours have passed since the missed dose, consider giving them the medication as soon as possible. But then, wait 24 hours to give them their following dose.
If your dog is taking dexamethasone every 24 hours and more than 12 hours have passed since the missed dose, consider waiting until their next dose is due.
If your dog is taking dexamethasone every 12 hours and more than 6 hours have passed since the missed dose, consider waiting until their next dose is due.
What are the common side effects of dexamethasone in dogs?
Dexamethasone can have both short-term and long-term side effects in dogs. These side effects usually resolve when their dosage is decreased or they stop taking the medication.
Potential short-term side effects of dexamethasone include:
Increased need to drink
Increased need to urinate
Increased appetite
Panting
Restlessness
Keep in mind that dogs can have different sensitivities to steroid medications. One dog taking a low, anti-inflammatory dose may experience very noticeable side effects. Another dog taking the same dose may have very little reaction to the medication. But almost all dogs taking higher doses of dexamethasone will experience some degree of side effects.
Treatment with a steroid medication that lasts weeks or months can lead to the above short-term effects, as well as:
Dull/dry hair or coat
Thinning hair or coat
Weight gain and/or a pot-bellied appearance
Muscle wasting, including loss of muscle strength and tone
Blood clots
High level of fat in the bloodstream
High blood pressure
What are the most serious risks of dexamethasone for dogs?
The most serious risks of any glucocorticoid medication for dogs are severe digestive side effects. The risk of these side effects is greater with higher doses of dexamethasone. Other risks include infections, stunted growth, and overdose.
Ulcers
Dexamethasone can lead to ulcers in a dog’s stomach and intestinal tract. In rare cases this can lead to perforation (a hole in the tissue lining of the stomach or intestine).
Vomiting or diarrhea often occurs as well. The vomit may resemble coffee grounds. This is caused by the presence of blood that has been partially digested by the stomach. You may also see a type of black, tarry, and sticky stool called melena as a part of diarrhea.
Stunted growth
Glucocorticoid use in young animals may lead to stunted growth. This is more likely if a dog takes dexamethasone for long periods.
Infections
Dogs on higher, immunosuppressive doses of steroids can be at a greater risk of developing infections. This is because their immune system is unable to keep infections at bay. For this reason, some veterinarians may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infections. But this can contribute to antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria in some dogs. Your vet may recommend very close monitoring and regular blood work.
Side effects of sudden discontinuation
If your dog has been taking a steroid for more than a couple weeks and they need to stop treatment, this should be done gradually. Stopping a steroid suddenly can cause severe side effects such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Overdose
If a dog is given too much dexamethasone, it increases their risk of more severe side effects. Most often, these are gastrointestinal side effects, including:
Severe vomiting
Severe diarrhea
Poor appetite
Stomach ulcers that cause bleeding in the digestive tract
Dark, tarry, sticky stool
Vomit that contains fresh blood or that looks like coffee grounds
Which dogs should not take dexamethasone?
Pregnant dogs should not take dexamethasone. This may lead to early or unintended delivery of the puppies. Puppies exposed to dexamethasone in the womb may also develop congenital abnormalities such as:
Cleft palate
Deformed forelegs
Generalized edema
Short-term use of dexamethasone may be safe in nursing dogs. But long-term use may suppress growth and normal steroid production in nursing puppies.
Also, use dexamethasone with care in dogs with the following conditions:
Systemic fungal infections
Cushing’s disease
Diabetes
Active viral infections
Digestive sensitivity
At risk for stomach ulcers
Hypersensitivity to steroids
Does dexamethasone interact with any other dog medications?
Dexamethasone can interact with several other medications your dog might be taking. Most importantly, dexamethasone and other steroids can interact with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). When given together, these medications can cause serious side effects.
Below are other medications dexamethasone can interact with. This does not always mean you cannot use them together. But discuss the risks and benefits with your veterinarian before giving your dog any of these medications with dexamethasone:
Amphotericin B
Anticholinesterase medications like pyridostigmine
Azole antifungals like ketoconazole
Cyclophosphamide
Potassium-depleting diuretics like furosemide
Doxorubicin
Ephedrine
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as enrofloxacin and marbofloxacin
Iohexol
Insulin
Macrolide antibiotics like erythromycin
Mitotane
Opioids such as tramadol and fentanyl
Praziquantel
Quinidine
Modified live vaccines
Vincristine
Frequently asked questions
How long it will take dexamethasone to work for your dog depends on the condition being treated. In general, your veterinarian may prescribe the medication for several weeks (or longer), until your dog’s chronic condition is under control. After that, they may switch your dog to a different medication.
Whether prednisone or dexamethasone is better for your dog depends on the condition being treated. Dexamethasone is a much stronger steroid compared to prednisone. For this reason, you may see results faster. But there can also be a higher risk of side effects. Talk to your veterinarian about which medication is a better option
Dexamethasone generally does not make dogs sleepy. In fact, it may cause restlessness. Other common side effects of dexamethasone include:
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Increased appetite
Panting
Restlessness
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Decreased appetite
The bottom line
Dexamethasone is a steroid medication. It is more powerful and works faster than the common steroid prednisone, but it also lasts longer in a dog’s body.
Dexamethasone for dogs can help test for diseases and treat inflammation, allergic reactions, and some cancers. Like other steroids, its side effects include increased thirst, urination, and hunger. The risk of these side effects may be higher with dexamethasone than steroids like prednisone because it’s a stronger medication.
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References
Brooks, W. (2023). Steroid use in dogs and cats. Veterinary Partner.
Brooks, W. (2024). Dexamethasone (Azium, Voren). Veterinary Partner.
Edwards, S. H. (2024). Corticosteroids in animals. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Edwards, S. H. (2024). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in animals. Merck Veterinary Manual.
MWI (Vet One). (2024). Dexamethasone - dexamethasone injection, solution [package insert].
Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. (2019). Antimicrobial (antibiotic) resistance in dogs.
