Breathing problems after Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (Interceptor Plus) in dogs

556 reports to the FDA describe breathing problems in dogs given Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel. That is 1.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.7% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

556Reports
49%Marked serious
32%Recovered
12%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
172 41%
1–2 days
45 11%
3–7 days
34 8.1%
1–4 weeks
22 5.2%
Over a month
149 35%

How the animals did

Recovered
173 31%
Recovered with lasting effects
4 0.7%
Still unwell when reported
170 31%
Died
36 6.5%
Euthanised
31 5.6%
Not known
142 26%

Problems reported at the same time

193 35%
152 27%
89 16%
71 13%
68 12%
63 11%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
58
1–3 years
131
4–7 years
151
8–11 years
133
12+ years
67

About this medicine

Milbemycin Oxime prevents heartworm and controls some intestinal worms (monthly). Praziquantel treats tapeworms.

Products with this combination include Interceptor Plus. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Some herding breeds (for example Collies) carry the MDR1 gene variant and can be more sensitive to this drug class at high doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel cause breathing problems in dogs?
556 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 2 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).

Breathing problems with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel in dogs · Medicines most reported with breathing problems