Cyanosis after Milbemycin Oxime (Interceptor) in dogs

The FDA has received 32 reports of cyanosis in dogs after Milbemycin Oxime. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines.

32Reports
19%Marked serious
6.3%Recovered
47%Died or euthanised
–Typical onset
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How the animals did

Recovered
1 3.1%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 3.1%
Still unwell when reported
2 6.3%
Died
14 44%
Euthanised
1 3.1%
Not known
13 41%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
2
1–3 years
8
4–7 years
12
8–11 years
8
12+ years
2

About this medicine

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

Products with this ingredient include Interceptor. 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 cause cyanosis in dogs?
32 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.
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).

Cyanosis with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Milbemycin Oxime in dogs · Medicines most reported with cyanosis