Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) after Metronidazole in dogs

The FDA has received 83 reports of elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) in dogs after Metronidazole. That is 2.7% 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.

83Reports

73%Marked serious

9.6%Recovered

30%Died or euthanised

21 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

10 15%

1–2 days

6 8.8%

3–7 days

7 10%

1–4 weeks

20 29%

Over a month

25 37%

How the animals did

Recovered

7 8.4%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.2%

Still unwell when reported

36 43%

Died

4 4.8%

Euthanised

21 25%

Not known

14 17%

Problems reported at the same time

82 99%

52 63%

43 52%

41 49%

37 45%

Abnormal ultrasound finding

34 41%

Kidney problems

27 33%

Death

26 31%

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 elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) in dogs?: 83 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 21 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).

Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) with similar medicines

Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) after Amoxicillin + Clavulanate (Clavamox) 98 reports · 1.8% of its reports
Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) after Doxycycline 57 reports · 1.4% of its reports
Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) after Cefovecin (Convenia) 38 reports · 1.0% of its reports
Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) after Enrofloxacin (Baytril) 61 reports · 1.6% of its reports
Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) after Amoxicillin 38 reports · 2.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Metronidazole in dogs · Medicines most reported with elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt)