Liver problems after Doxycycline in dogs

528 reports to the FDA describe liver problems in dogs given Doxycycline. That is 13% 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.

528Reports
73%Marked serious
6.8%Recovered
31%Died or euthanised
19 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
39 9.1%
1–2 days
38 8.9%
3–7 days
60 14%
1–4 weeks
109 26%
Over a month
181 42%

How the animals did

Recovered
31 5.9%
Recovered with lasting effects
5 0.9%
Still unwell when reported
248 47%
Died
53 10%
Euthanised
112 21%
Not known
79 15%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
12
1–3 years
124
4–7 years
177
8–11 years
147
12+ years
63

About this medicine

Doxycycline treats bacterial and tick-borne infections.

Questions owners ask

Can Doxycycline cause liver problems in dogs?
528 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 19 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 Doxycycline in dogs · Medicines most reported with liver problems