Neutrophilia after Diphenhydramine in dogs

The FDA has received 155 reports of neutrophilia in dogs after Diphenhydramine. That is 3.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

155Reports
77%Marked serious
10%Recovered
27%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
55 39%
1–2 days
19 14%
3–7 days
23 16%
1–4 weeks
22 16%
Over a month
21 15%

How the animals did

Recovered
15 9.7%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 0.6%
Still unwell when reported
82 53%
Died
12 7.7%
Euthanised
30 19%
Not known
15 9.7%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
25
1–3 years
39
4–7 years
35
8–11 years
38
12+ years
18

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Diphenhydramine cause neutrophilia in dogs?
155 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 2 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).

Neutrophilia with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Diphenhydramine in dogs · Medicines most reported with neutrophilia