Abnormal radiograph finding after Fipronil in dogs

The FDA has received 24 reports of abnormal radiograph finding in dogs after Fipronil. That is 1.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.9% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

24Reports

88%Marked serious

25%Recovered

17%Died or euthanised

20 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

0 0.0%

1–2 days

3 20%

3–7 days

1 6.7%

1–4 weeks

6 40%

Over a month

5 33%

How the animals did

Recovered

5 21%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 4.2%

Still unwell when reported

8 33%

Died

1 4.2%

Euthanised

3 13%

Not known

6 25%

Problems reported at the same time

17 71%

13 54%

11 46%

8 33%

8 33%

Tense abdomen

6 25%

Kidney problems

6 25%

Diarrhea

5 21%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Fipronil kills fleas and ticks (spot-on).

Questions owners ask

Can Fipronil cause abnormal radiograph finding in dogs?: 24 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 20 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).

Abnormal radiograph finding with similar medicines

Abnormal radiograph finding after Spinosad (Comfortis) 215 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Abnormal radiograph finding after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime (Sentinel) 179 reports · 0.7% of its reports
Abnormal radiograph finding after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) 89 reports · 0.7% of its reports
Abnormal radiograph finding after Nitenpyram (Capstar) 41 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Abnormal radiograph finding after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (Sentinel Spectrum) 40 reports · 0.4% of its reports

All reported side effects of Fipronil in dogs · Medicines most reported with abnormal radiograph finding