Breathing problems after Flumethrin + Imidacloprid (Seresto) in cats

21 reports to the FDA describe breathing problems in cats given Flumethrin + Imidacloprid. That is 3.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.7% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

21Reports

57%Marked serious

29%Recovered

9.5%Died or euthanised

7 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 28%

1–2 days

3 17%

3–7 days

2 11%

1–4 weeks

2 11%

Over a month

6 33%

How the animals did

Recovered

6 29%

Still unwell when reported

4 19%

Died

1 4.8%

Euthanised

1 4.8%

Not known

9 43%

Problems reported at the same time

Restlessness or agitation

7 33%

7 33%

6 29%

5 24%

4 19%

3 14%

Application site reaction

3 14%

Nasal discharge

3 14%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Imidacloprid kills fleas (spot-on or collar).

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

Questions owners ask

Can Flumethrin + Imidacloprid cause breathing problems in cats?: 21 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 7 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).

Breathing problems with similar medicines

Breathing problems after Spinosad (Comfortis) 261 reports · 2.3% of its reports
Breathing problems after Nitenpyram (Capstar) 2,180 reports · 25% of its reports
Breathing problems after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) 144 reports · 1.8% of its reports
Breathing problems after Lufenuron 44 reports · 4.0% of its reports
Breathing problems after Fipronil 59 reports · 12% of its reports
Breathing problems after Fipronil + S-methoprene (Frontline Plus) 28 reports · 7.6% of its reports

All reported side effects of Flumethrin + Imidacloprid in cats · Medicines most reported with breathing problems