Pulmonary disorder after Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (Trifexis) in dogs

87 reports to the FDA describe pulmonary disorder in dogs given Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines.

87Reports
93%Marked serious
15%Recovered
54%Died or euthanised
12 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
20 32%
1–2 days
5 8.1%
3–7 days
6 9.7%
1–4 weeks
5 8.1%
Over a month
26 42%

How the animals did

Recovered
5 5.7%
Recovered with lasting effects
8 9.2%
Still unwell when reported
15 17%
Died
37 43%
Euthanised
10 11%
Not known
12 14%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
11
1–3 years
22
4–7 years
21
8–11 years
25
12+ years
7

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 pulmonary disorder in dogs?
87 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 12 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).

Pulmonary disorder with similar medicines

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