Recumbency after Ivermectin (Heartgard) in dogs

150 reports to the FDA describe recumbency in dogs given Ivermectin. That is 1.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

150Reports
15%Marked serious
8.0%Recovered
31%Died or euthanised
19 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
5 21%
1–2 days
3 13%
3–7 days
2 8.3%
1–4 weeks
5 21%
Over a month
9 38%

How the animals did

Recovered
12 8.0%
Still unwell when reported
4 2.7%
Died
40 27%
Euthanised
6 4.0%
Not known
88 59%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
45
1–3 years
35
4–7 years
31
8–11 years
19
12+ years
3

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 recumbency in dogs?
150 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 19 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 in dogs · Medicines most reported with recumbency