Wobbliness (ataxia) after Cephalexin in dogs

The FDA has received 115 reports of wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs after Cephalexin. That is 4.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

115Reports

70%Marked serious

31%Recovered

17%Died or euthanised

7 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

18 19%

1–2 days

17 18%

3–7 days

16 17%

1–4 weeks

12 13%

Over a month

31 33%

How the animals did

Recovered

28 24%

Recovered with lasting effects

8 7.0%

Still unwell when reported

32 28%

Died

9 7.8%

Euthanised

11 9.6%

Not known

27 23%

Problems reported at the same time

39 34%

35 30%

29 25%

28 24%

19 17%

19 17%

19 17%

19 17%

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 wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs?: 115 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).

Wobbliness (ataxia) with similar medicines

Wobbliness (ataxia) after Melarsomine (Immiticide) 599 reports · 2.6% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan 150 reports · 2.7% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Diphenhydramine 169 reports · 3.6% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Butorphanol 125 reports · 2.8% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Cefpodoxime 182 reports · 4.5% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Tramadol 168 reports · 4.5% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Florfenicol + Mometasone + Terbinafine 430 reports · 12% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Desoxycorticosterone Pivalate 33 reports · 1.0% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Propofol 69 reports · 2.2% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Dirlotapide 23 reports · 0.8% of its reports

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