Kidney problems after Cephalexin in dogs

The FDA has received 128 reports of kidney problems in dogs after Cephalexin. That is 4.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

128Reports

77%Marked serious

13%Recovered

46%Died or euthanised

7 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

10 10%

1–2 days

16 16%

3–7 days

24 24%

1–4 weeks

18 18%

Over a month

31 31%

How the animals did

Recovered

11 8.6%

Recovered with lasting effects

5 3.9%

Still unwell when reported

40 31%

Died

24 19%

Euthanised

35 27%

Not known

13 10%

Problems reported at the same time

72 56%

70 55%

64 50%

60 47%

59 46%

32 25%

30 23%

29 23%

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 Cephalexin cause kidney problems in dogs?: 128 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 7 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).

Kidney problems with similar medicines

Kidney problems after Melarsomine (Immiticide) 434 reports · 1.9% of its reports
Kidney problems after Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan 319 reports · 5.8% of its reports
Kidney problems after Diphenhydramine 221 reports · 4.7% of its reports
Kidney problems after Butorphanol 203 reports · 4.6% of its reports
Kidney problems after Cefpodoxime 248 reports · 6.1% of its reports
Kidney problems after Tramadol 441 reports · 12% of its reports
Kidney problems after Florfenicol + Mometasone + Terbinafine 52 reports · 1.5% of its reports
Kidney problems after Desoxycorticosterone Pivalate 253 reports · 7.6% of its reports
Kidney problems after Propofol 143 reports · 4.7% of its reports
Kidney problems after Dirlotapide 78 reports · 2.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Cephalexin in dogs · Medicines most reported with kidney problems