Ear infection after Ivermectin + Pyrantel (Heartgard Plus) in dogs

116 reports to the FDA describe ear infection in dogs given Ivermectin + Pyrantel. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

116Reports

34%Marked serious

20%Recovered

3.4%Died or euthanised

15 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

12 16%

1–2 days

8 11%

3–7 days

8 11%

1–4 weeks

19 26%

Over a month

27 36%

How the animals did

Recovered

21 18%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 1.7%

Still unwell when reported

22 19%

Died

2 1.7%

Euthanised

2 1.7%

Not known

67 58%

Problems reported at the same time

Itching

23 20%

Didn't prevent heartworm

21 18%

Lethargy

18 16%

Vomiting

16 14%

Skin rash or irritation

13 11%

Didn't stop worms

10 8.6%

Diarrhea

10 8.6%

Behaviour change

9 7.8%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Ivermectin prevents heartworm disease (monthly). Pyrantel treats roundworms and hookworms.

Products with this combination include Heartgard Plus, Tri-Heart Plus, Iverhart Plus. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Some herding breeds (for example Collies) carry the MDR1 gene variant and can be more sensitive to this drug class at high doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Ivermectin + Pyrantel cause ear infection in dogs?: 116 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 15 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).

Ear infection with similar medicines

Ear infection after Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (Trifexis) 524 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Ear infection after Moxidectin (ProHeart 6) 34 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Ear infection after Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (Interceptor Plus) 206 reports · 0.7% of its reports
Ear infection after Milbemycin Oxime (Interceptor) 36 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Ear infection after Ivermectin (Heartgard) 36 reports · 0.3% of its reports

All reported side effects of Ivermectin + Pyrantel in dogs · Medicines most reported with ear infection