What routes can Dexamethasone be administered by?

Available routes: IV, IM, SC, PO.

Is Dexamethasone a controlled substance?

Dexamethasone is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Dexamethasone

US brand names:Azium, Dexafort

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Dexamethasone is dosed at 0.2 mg/kg IM, IV q24h in blue-tongue skinks, per Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.260 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Emergency

Routes

IVIMSCPO

Indications

Acute allergic reactionallergic reactionsAnaphylactic reaction to vaccineAnti-inflammatoryAnti-inflammatory (glucocorticoid)Anti-inflammatory (when PO/IM/IV not feasible)Antiinflammatoryextra-labelfeline asthma exacerbationGlucocorticoidHyperthermiaIMHA (immune-mediated hemolytic anemia)immune-mediated diseaseInflammationInflammatory conditionsketosisLaryngeal or pharyngeal edema and inflammationLaryngeal or pharyngeal oedema and inflammationLow-dose dexamethasone suppression test (diagnostic)parturition inductionrecurrent airway obstruction

Mechanism of Action

Potent synthetic glucocorticoid. Suppresses inflammation, immune responses, and allergic reactions. 25-30x potency of cortisol.

Side effects & warnings

Immunosuppressive. PU/PD, polyphagia. Avoid in active infections without antibiotic coverage. Prolonged use causes iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism. Avoid in reptiles if possible (severe immunosuppression).

Species with Dexamethasone dosing data (37 dose rules)

African Clawed Frog African Pygmy Hedgehog Axolotl Betta (Siamese fighting fish)Blue-tongue Skink Cat (Domestic)Cattle (Beef/Dairy)Chinchilla Corn Snake Dog (Domestic)Dwarf Hamster Eastern Box Turtle Ferret Fire Salamander

Evidence levels across 37 dose rules

Strong×10Moderate×16Weak×11

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 21 published sources

· 130. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.796 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350
· 243. Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.260 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.8 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Reptiles). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

Sample dosing (2 of 37 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 27 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	PO	0.05–0.2 mg/kg	q12-24h	Strong	Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.391 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207
Cat (Domestic)	PO	0.05–0.2 mg/kg	q12-24h	Strong	Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.392 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207,

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Other formulations of Dexamethasone

Calculate Dosage for Dexamethasone

29. Isenbügel E, Baumgartner R. Diseases of the hedgehog. In: Fowler M, eds. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine: Current Therapy, 3rd ed., WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 1993:294-302. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.742 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.6 (Analgesic/Antiinflammatory Agents Used in Hedgehogs). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Fowler's Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine: Current Therapy — ISBN 9780323828529, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323828529

· 297. Schumacher J. Respiratory medicine of reptiles. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2011;14:207-224. — Source: Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Ed, p.1415 — SOURCE EDITION: Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530

· 66. Harkness JE. A Practitioner's Guide to Domestic Rodents, American Animal Hospital Association, Lakewood, CO; 1993. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.799 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

· Greenacre CB. Incidence of adverse events in ferrets vaccinated with distemper or rabies vaccine: 143 cases (1995-2001). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003;223:663-665. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.955 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Ferrets.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — CORROBORATED 2026-08-06 by independent literature: A ferret model of immunosuppression induced with dexamethasone. (Veterinary immunology and immunopathology, 2022). doi:10.1016/j.vetimm.2021.110362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2021.110362. The paper reports this drug at this dose in this species: "cases, immunosuppression of experimental animals is necessary. The aim of this study was to […]". This is a second source alongside the book already cited; it corroborates the figure and does not by itself establish that the dose is correct. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

· Jepson L. Turtles and tortoises. In: Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, Saunders/Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA; 2009:358-411. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.260 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.8 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Reptiles). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

· Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.260 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.8 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Reptiles). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

· Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.260 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929

· Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed. Elsevier, St. Louis, MO -- 2021:620-630. Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.6 (Emergency Drugs Used in Rodents). The held copy is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the TABLE, not the page, is the citable location. SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary -- ISBN 9780323833929

· Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.796 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350

· Ness RD, Johnson-Delaney C. Sugar gliders. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2012:393-410. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.711 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 7.5 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Sugar Gliders). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.364, Dexamethasone monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — located 2026-08-05 in Plumb's 10th ed, Dexamethasone monograph, printed p.361-366; the earlier note claiming no held source contained this figure was wrong and has been removed. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.364, Dexamethasone monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.364, Dexamethasone monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted), Dexamethasone, book p.366 (corpus PDF p.393), SWINE, extra-label anti-inflammatory — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

· Ramsey I, ed. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed. Part B: Exotic Pets. Gloucester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2023. p.110. — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.110' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.96; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.96. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712

· Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.391 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

· Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.392 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207