Septicaemia after Buprenorphine in dogs

The FDA has received 26 reports of septicaemia in dogs after Buprenorphine. That is 1.6% 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.

26Reports

100%Marked serious

7.7%Recovered

77%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

2 8.7%

1–2 days

6 26%

3–7 days

5 22%

1–4 weeks

5 22%

Over a month

5 22%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 7.7%

Still unwell when reported

2 7.7%

Died

1 3.8%

Euthanised

19 73%

Not known

2 7.7%

Problems reported at the same time

20 77%

20 77%

17 65%

17 65%

Abnormal ultrasound finding

12 46%

Vomiting

11 42%

Diarrhea

11 42%

Peritonitis

11 42%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Buprenorphine pain relief (an opioid).

Questions owners ask

Can Buprenorphine cause septicaemia in dogs?: 26 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 3 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).

All reported side effects of Buprenorphine in dogs · Medicines most reported with septicaemia