Breathing problems after Fentanyl in dogs

The FDA has received 82 reports of breathing problems in dogs after Fentanyl. That is 13% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.7% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

82Reports
77%Marked serious
28%Recovered
48%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
18 27%
1–2 days
22 33%
3–7 days
8 12%
1–4 weeks
4 6.1%
Over a month
14 21%

How the animals did

Recovered
22 27%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 1.2%
Still unwell when reported
8 9.8%
Died
15 18%
Euthanised
24 29%
Not known
12 15%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
1
1–3 years
16
4–7 years
27
8–11 years
28
12+ years
7

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Fentanyl cause breathing problems in dogs?
82 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).

Breathing problems with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Fentanyl in dogs · Medicines most reported with breathing problems