Wobbliness (ataxia) after Clindamycin in cats

The FDA has received 47 reports of wobbliness (ataxia) in cats after Clindamycin. That is 10.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.7% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

47Reports
57%Marked serious
19%Recovered
36%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
11 32%
1–2 days
9 26%
3–7 days
6 18%
1–4 weeks
2 5.9%
Over a month
6 18%

How the animals did

Recovered
9 19%
Still unwell when reported
10 21%
Died
10 21%
Euthanised
7 15%
Not known
11 23%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
7
1–3 years
5
4–7 years
9
8–11 years
12
12+ years
14

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Clindamycin cause wobbliness (ataxia) in cats?
47 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?
In half of the reports with dates, it started within 2 days of the first dose.
What should I do?
Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Wobbliness (ataxia) with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Clindamycin in cats · Medicines most reported with wobbliness (ataxia)