Kidney problems after Ivermectin (Heartgard) in dogs

187 reports to the FDA describe kidney problems in dogs given Ivermectin. That is 1.6% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

187Reports

67%Marked serious

13%Recovered

34%Died or euthanised

53 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

7 7.6%

1–2 days

10 11%

3–7 days

10 11%

1–4 weeks

13 14%

Over a month

52 57%

How the animals did

Recovered

18 9.6%

Recovered with lasting effects

7 3.7%

Still unwell when reported

49 26%

Died

17 9.1%

Euthanised

46 25%

Not known

50 27%

Problems reported at the same time

82 44%

73 39%

68 36%

65 35%

62 33%

48 26%

34 18%

30 16%

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 kidney problems in dogs?: 187 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 53 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).

Kidney problems with similar medicines

Kidney problems after Ivermectin + Pyrantel (Heartgard Plus) 619 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Kidney problems after Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (Trifexis) 865 reports · 0.7% of its reports
Kidney problems after Moxidectin (ProHeart 6) 840 reports · 1.7% of its reports
Kidney problems after Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (Interceptor Plus) 256 reports · 0.8% of its reports
Kidney problems after Milbemycin Oxime (Interceptor) 243 reports · 0.8% of its reports
Kidney problems after Selamectin (Revolution) 257 reports · 0.9% of its reports
Kidney problems after Ivermectin + Praziquantel + Pyrantel (Iverhart Max) 37 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Kidney problems after Moxidectin + Pyrantel + Sarolaner (Simparica Trio) 26 reports · 2.2% of its reports

All reported side effects of Ivermectin in dogs · Medicines most reported with kidney problems