Equine · Equus caballus · typical adult weight 350.00–700.00 kg
Dexamethasone is dosed at 0.02–0.2 mg/kg IV q24h in horses, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed. Dexamethasone is used in horses for Inflammation, allergic reactions, recurrent airway obstruction, Inflammatory conditions, recurrent airway obstruction. Routes documented in horses: IV. A typical adult horse weighs 350.00–700.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Dexamethasone in horses, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Azium, Dexafort
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 0.02–0.2 mg/kg | q24h | Short-term only | Inflammation, allergic reactions, recurrent airway obstruction | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| IV | 0.02–0.1 mg/kg | q24h | 3-5 days; taper for chronic use | Inflammatory conditions, recurrent airway obstruction | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook |
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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 horses may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Dexamethasone dose ranges in horses, with cited source references: IV 0.02–0.2 mg/kg q24h; IV 0.02–0.1 mg/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Dexamethasone in horses: IV.
Cited course lengths for Dexamethasone in horses include: Short-term only; 3-5 days; taper for chronic use. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Dexamethasone is indicated in horses for: Inflammation, allergic reactions, recurrent airway obstruction, Inflammatory conditions, recurrent airway obstruction.
These are general warnings for Dexamethasone across species; consult the horse 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 horses — 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.