Wobbliness (ataxia) after Hydroxyzine in dogs

31 reports to the FDA describe wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs given Hydroxyzine. That is 3.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.6% across reports for all dog medicines.

31Reports
55%Marked serious
32%Recovered
13%Died or euthanised
13 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
4 16%
1–2 days
2 8.0%
3–7 days
6 24%
1–4 weeks
3 12%
Over a month
10 40%

How the animals did

Recovered
9 29%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 3.2%
Still unwell when reported
13 42%
Died
1 3.2%
Euthanised
3 9.7%
Not known
4 13%

Problems reported at the same time

10 32%
9 29%
Musculoskeletal disorder
4 13%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
2
1–3 years
4
4–7 years
3
8–11 years
16
12+ years
6

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Hydroxyzine cause wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs?
31 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 13 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

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