POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Dexafort Suspension for Injection

Active ingredients: Dexamethasone Phenylpropionate, Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate

Form

Injection

Species

Cats Cattle Dogs Horses

Manufacturer

Intervet International B.V.

VMD MA No.

06376/4086

What it's used for

to induce parturition in cattle. AN: 03378/2024Page 2 of 6

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

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1

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Clinical information

Dexafort Suspension for Injection — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.

to induce parturition in cattle.
AN: 03378/2024Page 2 of 6

Use normal aseptic techniques and a minimum of a 21 gauge cannula.
Before use shake vial upright thoroughly for 30 seconds.
To ensure a correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as
possible.
To measure small volumes of less than 1 ml a suitably graduated syringe should be
used to ensure accurate administration of the correct dose.
For the treatment of inflammatory or allergic conditions: The following average
doses are advised. However, the advised dose used should be determined by the
severity of the signs and the length of time for which they have been present.
Species Dosage
Horses, cattle 1 ml/50 kg
Dog, cat 0.5 ml/10 kg
For the treatment of primary ketosis in cattle (acetonaemia): A dose of 5-10 ml
dependent on the size of the cow. Since blood sugar levels rise rapidly following
injection of the product, through the action of dexamethasone sodium phosphate
and raised levels are maintained for several days, the product is particularly useful
in cases that present late and there is seldom a need to repeat the dose.
In the case of cows in poor bodily condition, to avoid prolonged stimulation of
gluconeogenesis at the expense of body fat reserves, use a product containing only
the quick-acting ester.
For the induction of parturition: The product may be used to induce parturition in
cattle in the last trimester and before day 260 of pregnancy. Where this is required
e.g., in the cases of trauma to the cow or possibly because the date of calving is not
known a single dose of 10 ml followed 6-12 days later by an injection of a short
acting corticosteroid such as dexamethasone sodium phosphate alone is
recommended. In the majority of cases parturition will be induced within 3 days of
the second injection.

Except in emergency situations the product should not be used in animals suffering
from diabetes, chronic nephritis, renal disease, congestive heart failure, osteoporosis
and in viral infections during the viraemic stage.

Horses, cattle, dogs and cats:
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals
treated, including isolated reports):
Polyuria
;
Polydipsia, Polyphagia
;
Other blood disorder
;

Cutaneous calcinosis;
Delayed healing;
Hypersensitivity reaction;
Hepatomegaly;
Elevated liver enzymes.
Particularly during the early stages of therapy.
Sodium and water retention and hypokalemia when administered long-term.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a veterinary
medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to either the marketing
authorisation holder or its local representative or the national competent authority via the
national reporting system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.

If the product is used for induction of parturition in cattle, then a high incidence of
retained placentae may be experienced and possible subsequent metritis and/or
subfertility.
Care should be taken when the product is used for the treatment of laminitis in
horses, where there is a possibility that such treatment could worsen the condition.
The use of the product in horses for other conditions could induce laminitis and
careful observations during the treatment period should be made.

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
Anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, are known to exert a
wide range of side-effects. Whilst single high doses are generally well tolerated, they
may induce severe side-effects in long term use and when esters possessing a long
duration of action are administered. Dosage in medium to long term use should
therefore generally be kept to the minimum necessary to control clinical signs. During
a course of treatment the situation should be reviewed frequently by close veterinary
supervision.
Steroids themselves, during treatment, may cause Cushingoid symptoms involving
significant alteration of fat, carbohydrate, protein and mineral metabolism, e.g.,
redistribution of body fat, muscle weakness and wastage and osteoporosis may
result. During therapy effective doses suppress the hypothalamo-pituitreal-adrenal
axis. Following cessation of treatment, symptoms of adrenal insufficiency extending
to adrenocortical atrophy can arise and this may render the animal unable to deal
adequately with stressful situations. Consideration should therefore be given to
means of minimising problems of adrenal insufficiency following the withdrawal of
treatment, e.g., dosing to coincide with the time of the endogenous cortisol peak (i.e.,
in the morning with regard to dogs and the evening for cats) and a gradual reduction
of dosage (for further discussion see standard texts).
Corticosteroids may delay wound healing and the immunosuppressive effect can
weaken the immune system or worsen pre-existing infections. In the presence of
bacterial infection, antibacterial drug cover is usually required when steroids are
used. In the presence of viral infections, steroids may worsen or hasten the progress
of the disease.
Systemic corticosteroid therapy is generally contraindicated in patients with renal
disease and diabetes mellitus. Gastrointestinal ulceration has been reported in
animals treated with corticosteroids and gastrointestinal ulceration may be
exacerbated by steroids in patients given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and
AN: 03378/2024Page 3 of 6
in animals with spinal cord trauma.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to
animals:
The veterinary medicinal product can cause allergic reactions. People with known
hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients should avoid contact with the
veterinary medicinal product.
Care should be taken to avoid accidental self-injection. In case of accidental self-injection, seek
medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.
To avoid the risk of self-injection, pregnant women should not handle the veterinary medicinal
product.
Avoid contact with skin and eyes. In the event of accidental eye or skin contact, wash/irrigate
the area with clean running water. Seek medical attention if irritation persists.
Wash hands after use.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.

Refer to section 3.5, “Special precautions for safe use in the target species”.
AN: 03378/2024Page 4 of 6

Do not store above 25 °C.
Keep the container in the outer carton in order to protect from light.
Store in an upright position.
AN: 03378/2024Page 6 of 6

Cattle: Meat and offal: 63 days
Milk: 144 hours
AN: 03378/2024Page 5 of 6
Horses: Not to be used in horses intended for human consumption.
Treated horses may never be slaughtered for human consumption.
The horse must have been declared as not intended for human consumption under national
horse passport legislation.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.