Wobbliness (ataxia) after Clindamycin in dogs

71 reports to the FDA describe wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs given Clindamycin. That is 6.6% 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.

71Reports
69%Marked serious
17%Recovered
30%Died or euthanised
6 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
14 25%
1–2 days
11 20%
3–7 days
6 11%
1–4 weeks
11 20%
Over a month
13 24%

How the animals did

Recovered
11 15%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 1.4%
Still unwell when reported
21 30%
Died
7 9.9%
Euthanised
14 20%
Not known
17 24%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
9
1–3 years
5
4–7 years
7
8–11 years
20
12+ years
30

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Clindamycin cause wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs?
71 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).

Wobbliness (ataxia) with similar medicines

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