Hi--A friend of mine had a kitten(about 6-8 weeks old) and the kitten had either gotten stepped on or dropped and it looked like it went into a seizure. Well- the next morning they took it to a vet clinic, and I guess the vet gave it a shot of this dexamethasone. The kitten was eating, drinkin and it's eyes were responsive to light. The vet gave him this shot, my friend took the kitten home and 1 hour later it died. What is this drug used for? It seems the vet just gave it this shot to put it out of it's misery? What do you think about this situation? Thanks so much--Deb
2007-12-05 00:48:15 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Hi,
I found this info for the drug, but it looks like it is not used by vets. Please click on the link, it will give you all lots if information:
http://www.drugs.com/mtm/dexamethasone.html
Check the name of the drug that was given to the kitten by the doctor. The vet can not kill the poor thing like this!!!! Even if it want it to put it out of it's misery, he needs the owners permission.
2007-12-05 01:01:23 · answer #1 · answered by ivabella 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Sounds like the kitten was pretty badly injured and should have gone to the emergency hospital for treatment when it happened. By the next morning, it was probably too late. The dexamethasone was given in an attempt to reduce swelling in the spinal cord. The vet could have kept the kitten for continued treatment, taken xrays, run labwork, etc (were finances an issue here??) but I'm guessing the kitten was too far gone to save at this point.
2007-12-05 10:30:57 · answer #2 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dexamethasone is a powerful corticosteriod used to reduce inflammation and pain. I would guess that the vet used it because it was the kitten's only chance to recover and that the kitty died because of the trauma it suffered rather than the treatment.
Your friend has let the vet know that the kitten died? He might have an explanation; I doubt that he intended to kill it that way.
2007-12-05 10:26:40 · answer #3 · answered by Julie D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The vet probably thought the kitten has some brain swelling from a concussion. It is just a steroid.
2007-12-05 08:57:33 · answer #4 · answered by mama woof 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Steriods are used for a variety of things such as; anaphylactic reactions, spinal chord trauma, forms of shock. some neoplasia: dermatologic diseases: allergic reactions, imflmmatory bowel disease, to name a few.
It is advised not to use on young animals due to the fact that it can supress the immune system. Although, sometimes the positive side effects of the drug out weight the bad and will be used.
2007-12-05 09:29:10 · answer #5 · answered by Jessica 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋