Fever after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) in cats

The FDA has received 182 reports of fever in cats after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin. That is 2.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 3.2% across reports for all cat medicines.

182Reports
64%Marked serious
32%Recovered
10%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
SponsoredWorried about your pet? Ask a veterinarian online, 24/7

How soon it started

Same day
45 36%
1–2 days
57 46%
3–7 days
7 5.6%
1–4 weeks
11 8.9%
Over a month
4 3.2%

How the animals did

Recovered
59 32%
Still unwell when reported
8 4.4%
Died
12 6.6%
Euthanised
7 3.8%
Not known
96 53%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
49
1–3 years
67
4–7 years
29
8–11 years
24
12+ years
11

About this medicine

Imidacloprid kills fleas (spot-on or collar). Moxidectin prevents heartworm disease (monthly topical, or a 6- or 12-month injection for dogs).

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

Questions owners ask

Can Imidacloprid + Moxidectin cause fever in cats?
182 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 1 day 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).

Fever with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Imidacloprid + Moxidectin in cats · Medicines most reported with fever