Fever after Metronidazole in dogs

The FDA has received 178 reports of fever in dogs after Metronidazole. That is 5.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

178Reports

75%Marked serious

9.0%Recovered

39%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

34 22%

1–2 days

42 28%

3–7 days

21 14%

1–4 weeks

22 14%

Over a month

33 22%

How the animals did

Recovered

15 8.4%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.6%

Still unwell when reported

70 39%

Died

22 12%

Euthanised

48 27%

Not known

22 12%

Problems reported at the same time

107 60%

107 60%

94 53%

84 47%

74 42%

70 39%

50 28%

41 23%

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 fever in dogs?: 178 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 3 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).

Fever with similar medicines

Fever after Amoxicillin + Clavulanate (Clavamox) 342 reports · 6.4% of its reports
Fever after Doxycycline 237 reports · 5.9% of its reports
Fever after Cefovecin (Convenia) 220 reports · 5.8% of its reports
Fever after Enrofloxacin (Baytril) 280 reports · 7.4% of its reports
Fever after Amoxicillin 81 reports · 6.0% of its reports

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