Wobbliness (ataxia) after Fluoxetine in dogs

80 reports to the FDA describe wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs given Fluoxetine. That is 3.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.6% across reports for all dog medicines.

80Reports

49%Marked serious

29%Recovered

8.8%Died or euthanised

18 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

17 30%

1–2 days

4 7.1%

3–7 days

1 1.8%

1–4 weeks

11 20%

Over a month

23 41%

How the animals did

Recovered

21 26%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 2.5%

Still unwell when reported

22 28%

Died

3 3.8%

Euthanised

4 5.0%

Not known

28 35%

Problems reported at the same time

24 30%

16 20%

15 19%

14 18%

14 18%

13 16%

11 14%

10 13%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Fluoxetine treats anxiety and behaviour problems.

Questions owners ask

Can Fluoxetine cause wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs?: 80 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 18 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).

Wobbliness (ataxia) with similar medicines

Wobbliness (ataxia) after Gabapentin 716 reports · 7.9% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Selegiline (Anipryl) 175 reports · 4.2% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Trazodone 123 reports · 4.9% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Clomipramine (Clomicalm) 88 reports · 5.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Fluoxetine in dogs · Medicines most reported with wobbliness (ataxia)