Breathing problems after Pentobarbital + Phenytoin in cats

The FDA has received 20 reports of breathing problems in cats after Pentobarbital + Phenytoin. That is 9.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.7% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

20Reports
60%Marked serious
5.0%Recovered
95%Died or euthanised
–Typical onset
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How the animals did

Recovered
1 5.0%
Died
3 15%
Euthanised
16 80%

Problems reported at the same time

3 15%
Itching
3 15%
Unrelated death
3 15%
Musculoskeletal disorder
2 10%
Drug administration error
2 10%
Respiratory tract disorder
2 10%
Vocalising
1 5.0%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
1
1–3 years
1
4–7 years
1
8–11 years
0
12+ years
8

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Pentobarbital + Phenytoin cause breathing problems in cats?
20 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.
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

All reported side effects of Pentobarbital + Phenytoin in cats · Medicines most reported with breathing problems