Skin and tissue infection after Cephalexin in dogs

28 reports to the FDA describe skin and tissue infection in dogs given Cephalexin. That is 1.0% 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.

28Reports

46%Marked serious

14%Recovered

14%Died or euthanised

60 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

0 0.0%

1–2 days

2 11%

3–7 days

1 5.3%

1–4 weeks

4 21%

Over a month

12 63%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 7.1%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 7.1%

Still unwell when reported

15 54%

Died

3 11%

Euthanised

1 3.6%

Not known

5 18%

Problems reported at the same time

Vomiting

8 29%

Diarrhea

7 25%

Didn't work as expected

7 25%

Skin rash or irritation

7 25%

5 18%

5 18%

4 14%

4 14%

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 skin and tissue infection in dogs?: 28 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 60 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).

Skin and tissue infection with similar medicines

Skin and tissue infection after Cefpodoxime 49 reports · 1.2% of its reports

All reported side effects of Cephalexin in dogs · Medicines most reported with skin and tissue infection