Septicaemia after Maropitant (Cerenia) in dogs

89 reports to the FDA describe septicaemia in dogs given Maropitant. That is 0.7% 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.

89Reports

96%Marked serious

4.5%Recovered

72%Died or euthanised

5 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

11 15%

1–2 days

24 32%

3–7 days

13 18%

1–4 weeks

12 16%

Over a month

14 19%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 4.5%

Still unwell when reported

15 17%

Died

24 27%

Euthanised

40 45%

Not known

6 6.7%

Problems reported at the same time

64 72%

50 56%

50 56%

43 48%

38 43%

33 37%

32 36%

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 septicaemia in dogs?: 89 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 5 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 septicaemia