Circling - neurological disorder after Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (Trifexis) in dogs

147 reports to the FDA describe circling - neurological disorder in dogs given Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

147Reports
61%Marked serious
46%Recovered
20%Died or euthanised
7 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
36 32%
1–2 days
14 12%
3–7 days
9 7.9%
1–4 weeks
14 12%
Over a month
41 36%

How the animals did

Recovered
46 31%
Recovered with lasting effects
22 15%
Still unwell when reported
20 14%
Died
7 4.8%
Euthanised
22 15%
Not known
30 20%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
16
1–3 years
25
4–7 years
39
8–11 years
34
12+ years
32

About this medicine

Milbemycin Oxime prevents heartworm and controls some intestinal worms (monthly). Spinosad kills fleas; monthly chewable.

Products with this combination include Trifexis. 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 + Spinosad cause circling - neurological disorder in dogs?
147 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 7 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).

Circling - neurological disorder with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad in dogs · Medicines most reported with circling - neurological disorder