Apnoea after Alfaxalone in dogs

29 reports to the FDA describe apnoea in dogs given Alfaxalone. That is 5.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

29Reports
93%Marked serious
45%Recovered
48%Died or euthanised
Same dayTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
20 77%
1–2 days
5 19%
3–7 days
0 0.0%
1–4 weeks
1 3.8%
Over a month
0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered
12 41%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 3.4%
Still unwell when reported
1 3.4%
Died
13 45%
Euthanised
1 3.4%
Not known
1 3.4%

Problems reported at the same time

14 48%
Fever
3 10%
2 6.9%
Muscle rigidity
2 6.9%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
3
1–3 years
4
4–7 years
9
8–11 years
8
12+ years
4

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Alfaxalone cause apnoea in dogs?
29 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 the same 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).

Apnoea with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Alfaxalone in dogs · Medicines most reported with apnoea