Abdominal effusion after Metronidazole in dogs

27 reports to the FDA describe abdominal effusion in dogs given Metronidazole. That is 0.9% 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.

27Reports

93%Marked serious

19%Recovered

41%Died or euthanised

18 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

1 4.3%

1–2 days

6 26%

3–7 days

1 4.3%

1–4 weeks

5 22%

Over a month

10 43%

How the animals did

Recovered

5 19%

Still unwell when reported

11 41%

Died

1 3.7%

Euthanised

10 37%

Problems reported at the same time

19 70%

19 70%

17 63%

16 59%

14 52%

Abnormal ultrasound finding

12 44%

Blood problems

12 44%

Breathing problems

12 44%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Metronidazole treats some bacterial and parasitic gut infections.

Questions owners ask

Can Metronidazole cause abdominal effusion in dogs?: 27 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 18 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).

Abdominal effusion with similar medicines

Abdominal effusion after Amoxicillin + Clavulanate (Clavamox) 21 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Abdominal effusion after Enrofloxacin (Baytril) 26 reports · 0.7% of its reports

All reported side effects of Metronidazole in dogs · Medicines most reported with abdominal effusion