Harsh lung sounds after Melarsomine (Immiticide) in dogs

29 reports to the FDA describe harsh lung sounds in dogs given Melarsomine. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.0% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

29Reports

72%Marked serious

14%Recovered

24%Died or euthanised

28 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

7 28%

1–2 days

2 8.0%

3–7 days

1 4.0%

1–4 weeks

6 24%

Over a month

9 36%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 14%

Still unwell when reported

12 41%

Died

3 10%

Euthanised

4 14%

Not known

6 21%

Problems reported at the same time

Breathing problems

18 62%

Cough

12 41%

Lethargy

10 34%

Abnormal radiograph finding

10 34%

8 28%

7 24%

7 24%

5 17%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Melarsomine treats adult heartworm infection (a series of injections given by a vet).

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

Questions owners ask

Can Melarsomine cause harsh lung sounds in dogs?: 29 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 28 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 Melarsomine in dogs · Medicines most reported with harsh lung sounds