Dexamethasone for Cattle
Livestock · Bos taurus · typical adult weight 250.00–900.00 kg
Dexamethasone is used in cattle for Inflammation, ketosis, parturition induction, Ketosis, inflammatory conditions, parturition induction. Routes documented in cattle: IV. A typical adult cattle weighs 250.00–900.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Dexamethasone in cattle, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Azium, Dexafort
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 0.04–0.08 mg/kg | single dose or q24h | — | Inflammation, ketosis, parturition induction | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| IV | 0.04–0.08 mg/kg | q24h or single dose | 1-3 days | Ketosis, inflammatory conditions, parturition induction | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your cattle's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cattle may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Other Emergency drugs with cattle dosing
Dexamethasone dosing in other species
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 cattle — 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.