Fluid in abdomen after Maropitant (Cerenia) in dogs

The FDA has received 91 reports of fluid in abdomen in dogs after Maropitant. That is 0.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

91Reports

97%Marked serious

9.9%Recovered

57%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

17 24%

1–2 days

10 14%

3–7 days

19 27%

1–4 weeks

10 14%

Over a month

14 20%

How the animals did

Recovered

9 9.9%

Still unwell when reported

22 24%

Died

14 15%

Euthanised

38 42%

Not known

8 8.8%

Problems reported at the same time

67 74%

62 68%

57 63%

52 57%

47 52%

Abnormal ultrasound finding

45 49%

Kidney problems

42 46%

Blood problems

27 30%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Maropitant prevents vomiting and motion sickness.

Products with this ingredient include Cerenia. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Maropitant cause fluid in abdomen in dogs?: 91 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 4 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).

All reported side effects of Maropitant in dogs · Medicines most reported with fluid in abdomen