Weakness after Cephalexin in dogs

83 reports to the FDA describe weakness in dogs given Cephalexin. That is 3.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

83Reports
76%Marked serious
27%Recovered
34%Died or euthanised
6 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
16 24%
1–2 days
9 14%
3–7 days
12 18%
1–4 weeks
15 23%
Over a month
14 21%

How the animals did

Recovered
17 20%
Recovered with lasting effects
5 6.0%
Still unwell when reported
25 30%
Died
15 18%
Euthanised
13 16%
Not known
8 9.6%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
4
1–3 years
12
4–7 years
24
8–11 years
25
12+ years
17

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Cephalexin cause weakness in dogs?
83 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 6 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).

Weakness with similar medicines

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