Proprioception deficit after Ivermectin + Pyrantel (Heartgard Plus) in dogs

42 reports to the FDA describe proprioception deficit in dogs given Ivermectin + Pyrantel. That is 0.0% 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.

42Reports

81%Marked serious

24%Recovered

26%Died or euthanised

5 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

8 29%

1–2 days

4 14%

3–7 days

4 14%

1–4 weeks

3 11%

Over a month

9 32%

How the animals did

Recovered

10 24%

Still unwell when reported

9 21%

Died

2 4.8%

Euthanised

9 21%

Not known

12 29%

Problems reported at the same time

26 62%

15 36%

13 31%

12 29%

10 24%

10 24%

9 21%

9 21%

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 proprioception deficit in dogs?: 42 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 5 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).

Proprioception deficit with similar medicines

Proprioception deficit after Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (Trifexis) 124 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Proprioception deficit after Moxidectin (ProHeart 6) 66 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Proprioception deficit after Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (Interceptor Plus) 24 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Proprioception deficit after Ivermectin (Heartgard) 28 reports · 0.2% of its reports

All reported side effects of Ivermectin + Pyrantel in dogs · Medicines most reported with proprioception deficit