Dexamethasone
Veterinary
Indications
Dexamethasone is highly effective in suppressing or preventing inflammation.
- Inflammatory diseases: Mastitis, endometritis, arthritis, laminitis, dermatitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, allergy etc.
- Metabolic disease: Ketosis
- Shock: Being hit by a car, attacked by another animal or usually slip & hypovolemic or surgical shock.
- Supportive therapy: Insect bite, snake bite, shipping fever, retention of placenta etc.
- Induction of parturition: When exceed the calving date or for abortion.
- Immunosuppressive: When immune system is destructively hyperactive.
- Nervous system: Any disorders of nervous system.
- Blood calcium reduction: When blood calcium is dangerously high.
- Cancer therapy: Lymphosarcoma and mast cell tumor respond to high dose of glucocorticoides.
Pharmacology
Dexamethasone, Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (SAID), is a powerful anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti allergic drugs. It stabilizes individual cells and their internal structure so that they do not release the substances which initiate or perpetuate the irritation, pain and swelling referred to as inflammation. Dexamethasone inhibits the synthesis of Prostaglandin (PG), Interleukin (IL) and Platelet Activating Factor (PAF) by inhibiting cycloxyginase & lipoxyginase pathway of inflammatory process.
Dosage & Administration
Injection: For intramuscular or intravenous use only.
- Cattle: 2.5-10 ml (5-20 mg), repeat as needed.
- Horse: 1.25-2.5 ml (2.5-5 mg), repeat as needed.
- Dog/Cat: 0.50 ml (1 mg) daily for 3-5 days.
- In case of shock, dose should be 5 mg/kg IV.
- Cattle: 1/2-2 bolus (5-20 mg) daily.
- Horse: 1/2-1 bolus (5-10 mg) daily.
- Dog/Cat: 0.125-1 mg daily. Or as directed by Veterinary Physician.
Interaction
This drug should not be used in combination with NSAID.
Contraindications
Do not use in animals hypersensitive to dexamethasone.
Side Effects
May suppress the immune system. Muscular weakness may occur.
Pregnancy & Lactation
Abortion may occur in pregnant animal.
