Pica after Metronidazole in dogs

The FDA has received 27 reports of pica in dogs after Metronidazole. That is 0.9% 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.

27Reports

85%Marked serious

15%Recovered

7.4%Died or euthanised

20 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

2 9.5%

1–2 days

2 9.5%

3–7 days

5 24%

1–4 weeks

5 24%

Over a month

7 33%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 15%

Still unwell when reported

11 41%

Euthanised

2 7.4%

Not known

10 37%

Problems reported at the same time

18 67%

16 59%

14 52%

14 52%

8 30%

8 30%

6 22%

Didn't work as expected

6 22%

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 pica in dogs?: 27 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 20 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).

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