The effect of intravenous administration of dexamethasone on intraocular pressure in clinically normal dogs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of intravenous administration of dexamethasone on intraocular pressure (IOP) in clinically normal dogs. Ten ophthalmoscopically and clinically healthy mixed-breed dogs were included in this study. Dogs received intravenous dexamethasone (4 mg/kg). Applanation tonometry was performed on both eyes of all dogs prior to treatment and then at 15, 30, 60, 120, 240, and 360 min post-drug administration. Statistical comparisons between the pre-treatment mean values of IOP and post-treatment values revealed significant increase at 15 (P = 0.001), 30 (P = 0.001), 60 (P = 0.004), 120 (P = 0.004), 180 (P = 0.003), and 360 min (P = 0.024) after dexamethasone administration. In summary, this observation confirms that dexamethasone increases IOP shortly after intravenous administration in dogs. Based on these results, dogs with weak or thin corneas, glaucoma, or any condition for which an increase in IOP could be harmful should not receive systemic dexamethasone.