Decreased red blood cell count after Ampicillin in dogs

The FDA has received 30 reports of decreased red blood cell count in dogs after Ampicillin. That is 3.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

30Reports

97%Marked serious

6.7%Recovered

60%Died or euthanised

21 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

0 0.0%

1–2 days

2 8.0%

3–7 days

2 8.0%

1–4 weeks

11 44%

Over a month

10 40%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 6.7%

Still unwell when reported

2 6.7%

Died

2 6.7%

Euthanised

16 53%

Not known

8 27%

Problems reported at the same time

20 67%

18 60%

18 60%

15 50%

13 43%

Decreased haematocrit

13 43%

Lethargy

12 40%

Vomiting

12 40%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Ampicillin cause decreased red blood cell count in dogs?: 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 21 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).

Decreased red blood cell count with similar medicines

Decreased red blood cell count after Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan 30 reports · 0.5% of its reports
Decreased red blood cell count after Diphenhydramine 42 reports · 0.9% of its reports
Decreased red blood cell count after Butorphanol 23 reports · 0.5% of its reports
Decreased red blood cell count after Cefpodoxime 34 reports · 0.8% of its reports
Decreased red blood cell count after Tramadol 20 reports · 0.5% of its reports
Decreased red blood cell count after Desoxycorticosterone Pivalate 28 reports · 0.8% of its reports
Decreased red blood cell count after Famotidine 44 reports · 1.7% of its reports
Decreased red blood cell count after Ketoconazole 24 reports · 1.1% of its reports
Decreased red blood cell count after Sucralfate 29 reports · 2.9% of its reports
Decreased red blood cell count after Omeprazole 24 reports · 2.5% of its reports

All reported side effects of Ampicillin in dogs · Medicines most reported with decreased red blood cell count