Behaviour change after Ampicillin in dogs

The FDA has received 44 reports of behaviour change in dogs after Ampicillin. That is 4.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.5% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

44Reports
77%Marked serious
16%Recovered
36%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
10 27%
1–2 days
10 27%
3–7 days
5 14%
1–4 weeks
3 8.1%
Over a month
9 24%

How the animals did

Recovered
7 16%
Still unwell when reported
11 25%
Died
7 16%
Euthanised
9 20%
Not known
10 23%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
7
1–3 years
11
4–7 years
11
8–11 years
9
12+ years
6

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Ampicillin cause behaviour change in dogs?
44 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 2 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).

Behaviour change with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Ampicillin in dogs · Medicines most reported with behaviour change