Proteinuria after Ivermectin (Heartgard) in dogs

38 reports to the FDA describe proteinuria in dogs given Ivermectin. That is 0.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.4% across reports for all dog medicines.

38Reports

55%Marked serious

13%Recovered

13%Died or euthanised

99 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

0 0.0%

1–2 days

2 10%

3–7 days

3 15%

1–4 weeks

3 15%

Over a month

12 60%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 5.3%

Recovered with lasting effects

3 7.9%

Still unwell when reported

14 37%

Died

2 5.3%

Euthanised

3 7.9%

Not known

14 37%

Problems reported at the same time

15 39%

15 39%

11 29%

10 26%

Alkaline urine

9 24%

Lethargy

9 24%

Urine abnormalities

9 24%

Decreased urine concentration

7 18%

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 proteinuria in dogs?: 38 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 99 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).

Proteinuria with similar medicines

Proteinuria after Ivermectin + Pyrantel (Heartgard Plus) 149 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Proteinuria after Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (Trifexis) 178 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Proteinuria after Moxidectin (ProHeart 6) 120 reports · 0.2% of its reports
Proteinuria after Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (Interceptor Plus) 83 reports · 0.3% of its reports
Proteinuria after Milbemycin Oxime (Interceptor) 41 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Proteinuria after Selamectin (Revolution) 46 reports · 0.2% of its reports

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