Breathing problems after Selamectin (Revolution) in cats

570 reports to the FDA describe breathing problems in cats given Selamectin. That is 2.6% 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.

570Reports
28%Marked serious
10%Recovered
31%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
SponsoredWorried about your pet? Ask a veterinarian online, 24/7

How soon it started

Same day
114 44%
1–2 days
82 31%
3–7 days
25 9.6%
1–4 weeks
25 9.6%
Over a month
15 5.7%

How the animals did

Recovered
59 10%
Still unwell when reported
94 16%
Died
145 25%
Euthanised
34 6.0%
Not known
238 42%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
129
1–3 years
141
4–7 years
116
8–11 years
91
12+ years
72

About this medicine

Selamectin prevents heartworm and treats fleas, ear mites and some worms (spot-on).

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

Some herding breeds (for example Collies) carry the MDR1 gene variant and can be more sensitive to this drug class at high doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Selamectin cause breathing problems in cats?
570 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).

Breathing problems with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Selamectin in cats · Medicines most reported with breathing problems