Pyoderma after Cephalexin in dogs

The FDA has received 41 reports of pyoderma in dogs after Cephalexin. That is 1.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

41Reports

49%Marked serious

7.3%Recovered

9.8%Died or euthanised

35 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 11%

1–2 days

1 2.9%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

7 20%

Over a month

23 66%

How the animals did

Recovered

3 7.3%

Still unwell when reported

21 51%

Euthanised

4 9.8%

Not known

13 32%

Problems reported at the same time

Itching

14 34%

Lethargy

12 29%

Loss of appetite

11 27%

Skin rash or irritation

11 27%

Didn't work as expected

11 27%

Liver problems

9 22%

Vomiting

9 22%

Hair loss

8 20%

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 pyoderma in dogs?: 41 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 35 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).

Pyoderma with similar medicines

Pyoderma after Melarsomine (Immiticide) 37 reports · 0.2% of its reports
Pyoderma after Cefpodoxime 71 reports · 1.8% of its reports
Pyoderma after Tramadol 24 reports · 0.6% of its reports
Pyoderma after Ketoconazole 26 reports · 1.2% of its reports

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