Distension of abdomen after Ivermectin (Heartgard) in dogs

20 reports to the FDA describe distension of abdomen in dogs given Ivermectin. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines.

20Reports

75%Marked serious

5.0%Recovered

30%Died or euthanised

66 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

2 14%

1–2 days

0 0.0%

3–7 days

2 14%

1–4 weeks

1 7.1%

Over a month

9 64%

How the animals did

Recovered

1 5.0%

Still unwell when reported

8 40%

Euthanised

6 30%

Not known

5 25%

Problems reported at the same time

8 40%

8 40%

7 35%

7 35%

6 30%

6 30%

6 30%

Ascites

6 30%

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).

Products with this ingredient include Heartgard. 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 cause distension of abdomen in dogs?: 20 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 66 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).

Distension of abdomen with similar medicines

Distension of abdomen after Ivermectin + Pyrantel (Heartgard Plus) 98 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Distension of abdomen after Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (Trifexis) 164 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Distension of abdomen after Moxidectin (ProHeart 6) 76 reports · 0.2% of its reports
Distension of abdomen after Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (Interceptor Plus) 39 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Distension of abdomen after Milbemycin Oxime (Interceptor) 42 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Distension of abdomen after Selamectin (Revolution) 32 reports · 0.1% of its reports

All reported side effects of Ivermectin in dogs · Medicines most reported with distension of abdomen