Loss of appetite after Penicillin in cats

The FDA has received 30 reports of loss of appetite in cats after Penicillin. That is 27% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

30Reports
60%Marked serious
23%Recovered
30%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
11 39%
1–2 days
6 21%
3–7 days
6 21%
1–4 weeks
4 14%
Over a month
1 3.6%

How the animals did

Recovered
7 23%
Still unwell when reported
12 40%
Died
5 17%
Euthanised
4 13%
Not known
2 6.7%

Problems reported at the same time

18 60%
9 30%
Wobbliness (ataxia)
6 20%
Weight loss
6 20%
Kidney problems
6 20%
Dehydration
5 17%
Behaviour change
5 17%
Liver problems
4 13%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
4
1–3 years
7
4–7 years
5
8–11 years
6
12+ years
6

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Penicillin cause loss of appetite 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 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).

Loss of appetite with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Penicillin in cats · Medicines most reported with loss of appetite