Hyperphosphataemia after Metronidazole in dogs

The FDA has received 99 reports of hyperphosphataemia in dogs after Metronidazole. That is 3.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

99Reports
92%Marked serious
7.1%Recovered
51%Died or euthanised
9 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
13 15%
1–2 days
14 16%
3–7 days
14 16%
1–4 weeks
24 27%
Over a month
23 26%

How the animals did

Recovered
6 6.1%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 1.0%
Still unwell when reported
33 33%
Died
19 19%
Euthanised
31 31%
Not known
9 9.1%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
19
1–3 years
10
4–7 years
14
8–11 years
31
12+ years
25

About this medicine

Metronidazole treats some bacterial and parasitic gut infections.

Questions owners ask

Can Metronidazole cause hyperphosphataemia in dogs?
99 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 9 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).

Hyperphosphataemia with similar medicines

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