Licking after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) in dogs

The FDA has received 47 reports of licking in dogs after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin. That is 0.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

47Reports
47%Marked serious
23%Recovered
2.1%Died or euthanised
3 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
10 29%
1–2 days
7 20%
3–7 days
2 5.7%
1–4 weeks
11 31%
Over a month
5 14%

How the animals did

Recovered
11 23%
Still unwell when reported
11 23%
Died
1 2.1%
Not known
24 51%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
2
1–3 years
14
4–7 years
12
8–11 years
14
12+ years
5

About this medicine

Imidacloprid kills fleas (spot-on or collar). Moxidectin prevents heartworm disease (monthly topical, or a 6- or 12-month injection for dogs).

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

Questions owners ask

Can Imidacloprid + Moxidectin cause licking in dogs?
47 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 3 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).

Licking with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Imidacloprid + Moxidectin in dogs · Medicines most reported with licking