Retinal degeneration after Enrofloxacin (Baytril) in cats

The FDA has received 30 reports of retinal degeneration in cats after Enrofloxacin. That is 1.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.0% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

30Reports

60%Marked serious

33%Recovered

23%Died or euthanised

6 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

0 0.0%

1–2 days

4 15%

3–7 days

13 50%

1–4 weeks

3 12%

Over a month

6 23%

How the animals did

Recovered with lasting effects

10 33%

Still unwell when reported

2 6.7%

Died

3 10%

Euthanised

4 13%

Not known

11 37%

Problems reported at the same time

Eye or vision problems

28 93%

Abnormal pupil light reflex

10 33%

Death

6 20%

Dilated pupils

6 20%

Abnormal menace reflex test

4 13%

Retinal disorder

4 13%

Kidney problems

3 10%

Behaviour change

2 6.7%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Enrofloxacin treats bacterial infections.

Products with this ingredient include Baytril. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Enrofloxacin cause retinal degeneration in cats?: 30 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 6 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).

All reported side effects of Enrofloxacin in cats · Medicines most reported with retinal degeneration