Kidney problems after Flumethrin + Imidacloprid (Seresto) in dogs

The FDA has received 27 reports of kidney problems in dogs after Flumethrin + Imidacloprid. That is 1.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

27Reports

78%Marked serious

19%Recovered

26%Died or euthanised

96 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

0 0.0%

1–2 days

4 27%

3–7 days

1 6.7%

1–4 weeks

2 13%

Over a month

8 53%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 15%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 3.7%

Still unwell when reported

4 15%

Died

2 7.4%

Euthanised

5 19%

Not known

11 41%

Problems reported at the same time

12 44%

11 41%

9 33%

7 26%

7 26%

7 26%

Hyperphosphataemia

7 26%

Seizures

6 22%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Imidacloprid kills fleas (spot-on or collar).

Products with this combination include Seresto. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Flumethrin + Imidacloprid cause kidney problems in dogs?: 27 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 96 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).

Kidney problems with similar medicines

Kidney problems after Spinosad (Comfortis) 439 reports · 0.8% of its reports
Kidney problems after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime (Sentinel) 162 reports · 0.6% of its reports
Kidney problems after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) 106 reports · 0.8% of its reports
Kidney problems after Nitenpyram (Capstar) 55 reports · 0.5% of its reports
Kidney problems after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (Sentinel Spectrum) 46 reports · 0.5% of its reports
Kidney problems after Fipronil + S-methoprene (Frontline Plus) 31 reports · 1.0% of its reports
Kidney problems after Fipronil 30 reports · 2.1% of its reports
Kidney problems after Lufenuron 25 reports · 2.5% of its reports

All reported side effects of Flumethrin + Imidacloprid in dogs · Medicines most reported with kidney problems