Recumbency after Ivermectin + Pyrantel (Heartgard Plus) in dogs

173 reports to the FDA describe recumbency in dogs given Ivermectin + Pyrantel. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

173Reports
55%Marked serious
25%Recovered
23%Died or euthanised
7 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
17 24%
1–2 days
8 11%
3–7 days
11 15%
1–4 weeks
15 21%
Over a month
20 28%

How the animals did

Recovered
42 24%
Recovered with lasting effects
2 1.2%
Still unwell when reported
14 8.1%
Died
28 16%
Euthanised
11 6.4%
Not known
76 44%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
34
1–3 years
42
4–7 years
46
8–11 years
32
12+ years
18

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 recumbency in dogs?
173 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 7 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).

Recumbency with similar medicines

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