Licking after Ivermectin + Pyrantel (Heartgard Plus) in dogs

172 reports to the FDA describe licking 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.

172Reports
61%Marked serious
22%Recovered
0.6%Died or euthanised
21 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
24 21%
1–2 days
12 11%
3–7 days
11 9.6%
1–4 weeks
18 16%
Over a month
49 43%

How the animals did

Recovered
36 21%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 0.6%
Still unwell when reported
33 19%
Euthanised
1 0.6%
Not known
101 59%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
11
1–3 years
50
4–7 years
58
8–11 years
38
12+ years
10

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 licking in dogs?
172 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 21 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 Ivermectin + Pyrantel in dogs · Medicines most reported with licking