Ocular discharge after Ivermectin (Heartgard) in dogs

31 reports to the FDA describe ocular discharge in dogs given Ivermectin. That is 0.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines.

31Reports

42%Marked serious

35%Recovered

13%Died or euthanised

60 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 25%

1–2 days

1 5.0%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

4 20%

Over a month

10 50%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 26%

Recovered with lasting effects

3 9.7%

Still unwell when reported

4 13%

Died

3 9.7%

Euthanised

1 3.2%

Not known

12 39%

Problems reported at the same time

12 39%

9 29%

6 19%

6 19%

6 19%

Inappropriate urination

5 16%

Loss of appetite

5 16%

Conjunctivitis

5 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 ocular discharge in dogs?: 31 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 60 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).

Ocular discharge with similar medicines

Ocular discharge after Ivermectin + Pyrantel (Heartgard Plus) 111 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Ocular discharge after Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (Trifexis) 142 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Ocular discharge after Moxidectin (ProHeart 6) 68 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Ocular discharge after Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (Interceptor Plus) 47 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Ocular discharge after Milbemycin Oxime (Interceptor) 21 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Ocular discharge after Selamectin (Revolution) 44 reports · 0.1% of its reports

All reported side effects of Ivermectin in dogs · Medicines most reported with ocular discharge