Wobbliness (ataxia) after Butorphanol in dogs

125 reports to the FDA describe wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs given Butorphanol. That is 2.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.6% across reports for all dog medicines.

125Reports
62%Marked serious
23%Recovered
20%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
42 45%
1–2 days
20 21%
3–7 days
12 13%
1–4 weeks
8 8.5%
Over a month
12 13%

How the animals did

Recovered
27 22%
Recovered with lasting effects
2 1.6%
Still unwell when reported
40 32%
Died
12 9.6%
Euthanised
13 10%
Not known
31 25%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
8
1–3 years
32
4–7 years
25
8–11 years
37
12+ years
21

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Butorphanol cause wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs?
125 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).

Wobbliness (ataxia) with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Butorphanol in dogs · Medicines most reported with wobbliness (ataxia)