Hypothermia after Metronidazole in dogs

43 reports to the FDA describe hypothermia in dogs given Metronidazole. That is 1.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

43Reports

95%Marked serious

19%Recovered

60%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

11 29%

1–2 days

7 18%

3–7 days

5 13%

1–4 weeks

9 24%

Over a month

6 16%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 19%

Still unwell when reported

8 19%

Died

13 30%

Euthanised

13 30%

Not known

1 2.3%

Problems reported at the same time

28 65%

26 60%

24 56%

23 53%

22 51%

21 49%

21 49%

16 37%

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 hypothermia in dogs?: 43 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 4 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).

Hypothermia with similar medicines

Hypothermia after Amoxicillin + Clavulanate (Clavamox) 54 reports · 1.0% of its reports
Hypothermia after Doxycycline 22 reports · 0.5% of its reports
Hypothermia after Cefovecin (Convenia) 63 reports · 1.7% of its reports
Hypothermia after Enrofloxacin (Baytril) 36 reports · 1.0% of its reports

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