Loss of appetite after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) in dogs

The FDA has received 1,137 reports of loss of appetite in dogs after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin. That is 8.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 8.4% across reports for all dog medicines.

1,137Reports
64%Marked serious
37%Recovered
9.2%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
294 36%
1–2 days
269 33%
3–7 days
90 11%
1–4 weeks
103 12%
Over a month
70 8.5%

How the animals did

Recovered
416 37%
Recovered with lasting effects
4 0.4%
Still unwell when reported
57 5.0%
Died
50 4.4%
Euthanised
55 4.8%
Not known
555 49%

Problems reported at the same time

651 57%
422 37%
255 22%
135 12%
102 9.0%
100 8.8%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
189
1–3 years
320
4–7 years
294
8–11 years
203
12+ years
104

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 loss of appetite in dogs?
1,137 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 1 day 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).

Loss of appetite with similar medicines

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