Decreased packed cell volume (pcv) after Doxycycline in dogs

The FDA has received 61 reports of decreased packed cell volume (pcv) in dogs after Doxycycline. That is 1.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

61Reports
93%Marked serious
6.6%Recovered
52%Died or euthanised
30 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
4 8.0%
1–2 days
6 12%
3–7 days
3 6.0%
1–4 weeks
13 26%
Over a month
24 48%

How the animals did

Recovered
4 6.6%
Still unwell when reported
18 30%
Died
9 15%
Euthanised
23 38%
Not known
7 11%

Problems reported at the same time

Blood problems
37 61%
Loss of appetite
37 61%
Death
32 52%
Lethargy
28 46%
Liver problems
24 39%
Low platelet count
20 33%
Pale mucous membrane
18 30%
Decreased red blood cell count
18 30%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
8
1–3 years
4
4–7 years
17
8–11 years
27
12+ years
5

About this medicine

Doxycycline treats bacterial and tick-borne infections.

Questions owners ask

Can Doxycycline cause decreased packed cell volume (pcv) in dogs?
61 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 30 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).

Decreased packed cell volume (pcv) with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Doxycycline in dogs · Medicines most reported with decreased packed cell volume (pcv)