Lameness after Maropitant (Cerenia) in cats

49 reports to the FDA describe lameness in cats given Maropitant. That is 1.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

49Reports

65%Marked serious

22%Recovered

18%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

9 20%

1–2 days

12 27%

3–7 days

7 16%

1–4 weeks

10 23%

Over a month

6 14%

How the animals did

Recovered

11 22%

Still unwell when reported

21 43%

Died

3 6.1%

Euthanised

6 12%

Not known

8 16%

Problems reported at the same time

22 45%

19 39%

16 33%

14 29%

9 18%

9 18%

8 16%

7 14%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Maropitant prevents vomiting and motion sickness.

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

Questions owners ask

Can Maropitant cause lameness in cats?: 49 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 3 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).

Lameness with similar medicines

Lameness after Mirtazapine (Mirataz) 22 reports · 1.2% of its reports

All reported side effects of Maropitant in cats · Medicines most reported with lameness