Behaviour change after Fentanyl in dogs

The FDA has received 53 reports of behaviour change in dogs after Fentanyl. That is 8.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.5% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

53Reports
58%Marked serious
45%Recovered
19%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
19 43%
1–2 days
11 25%
3–7 days
3 6.8%
1–4 weeks
2 4.5%
Over a month
9 20%

How the animals did

Recovered
22 42%
Recovered with lasting effects
2 3.8%
Still unwell when reported
5 9.4%
Died
5 9.4%
Euthanised
5 9.4%
Not known
14 26%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
2
1–3 years
9
4–7 years
19
8–11 years
9
12+ years
6

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Fentanyl cause behaviour change in dogs?
53 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 1 day 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).

Behaviour change with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Fentanyl in dogs · Medicines most reported with behaviour change