Liver disorder after Metronidazole in dogs

The FDA has received 30 reports of liver disorder in dogs after Metronidazole. That is 1.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

30Reports

83%Marked serious

3.3%Recovered

53%Died or euthanised

22 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

2 8.3%

1–2 days

2 8.3%

3–7 days

3 13%

1–4 weeks

10 42%

Over a month

7 29%

How the animals did

Recovered with lasting effects

1 3.3%

Still unwell when reported

8 27%

Died

3 10%

Euthanised

13 43%

Not known

5 17%

Problems reported at the same time

20 67%

17 57%

16 53%

16 53%

Abnormal ultrasound finding

16 53%

Lethargy

13 43%

Diarrhea

13 43%

Kidney problems

13 43%

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 liver disorder in dogs?: 30 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 22 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).

Liver disorder with similar medicines

Liver disorder after Amoxicillin + Clavulanate (Clavamox) 33 reports · 0.6% of its reports
Liver disorder after Doxycycline 26 reports · 0.6% of its reports
Liver disorder after Enrofloxacin (Baytril) 32 reports · 0.8% of its reports

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