Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Dexamethasone is dosed at 0.25–1 mg/kg IM once in cats, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.364, Dexamethasone monograph. Dexamethasone is used in cats for Acute allergic reaction, feline asthma exacerbation, Anti-inflammatory, immune-mediated disease. Routes documented in cats: IM, PO. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Dexamethasone in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Azium, Dexafort
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.25–1 mg/kg | once | Single dose; follow with oral taper | Acute allergic reaction, feline asthma exacerbation | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.364, Dexamethasone monograph.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| PO | 0.05–0.2 mg/kg | q12-24h | Taper over weeks | Anti-inflammatory, immune-mediated disease | Strong | Plumb's 10th ed printed p.361, Dexamethasone monograph spanning p.361-366.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1–0.15 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.131 | dexamethasone suppression test (0.1-0.15 mg/kg i.v.). Note difference to dogs. 116 BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th edition: Part |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
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Potent synthetic glucocorticoid. Suppresses inflammation, immune responses, and allergic reactions. 25-30x potency of cortisol.
Immunosuppressive. PU/PD, polyphagia. Avoid in active infections without antibiotic coverage. Prolonged use causes iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism. Avoid in reptiles if possible (severe immunosuppression).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Dexamethasone dose ranges in cats, with cited source references: IM 0.25–1 mg/kg once; PO 0.05–0.2 mg/kg q12-24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Dexamethasone in cats: IM, PO.
Cited course lengths for Dexamethasone in cats include: Single dose; follow with oral taper; Taper over weeks. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Dexamethasone is indicated in cats for: Acute allergic reaction, feline asthma exacerbation, Anti-inflammatory, immune-mediated disease.
These are general warnings for Dexamethasone across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Immunosuppressive. PU/PD, polyphagia. Avoid in active infections without antibiotic coverage. Prolonged use causes iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism. Avoid in reptiles if possible (severe immunosuppression).
Why a species-specific page? Dexamethasone pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cats — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.