Liver problems after Clindamycin in dogs

The FDA has received 175 reports of liver problems in dogs after Clindamycin. That is 16% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

175Reports
70%Marked serious
6.9%Recovered
37%Died or euthanised
14 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
14 10%
1–2 days
14 10%
3–7 days
20 15%
1–4 weeks
47 35%
Over a month
39 29%

How the animals did

Recovered
7 4.0%
Recovered with lasting effects
5 2.9%
Still unwell when reported
66 38%
Died
26 15%
Euthanised
38 22%
Not known
33 19%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
3
1–3 years
14
4–7 years
48
8–11 years
73
12+ years
35

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Clindamycin cause liver problems in dogs?
175 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 14 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).

Liver problems with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Clindamycin in dogs · Medicines most reported with liver problems