Hypophosphataemia after Moxidectin (ProHeart 6) in dogs

The FDA has received 47 reports of hypophosphataemia in dogs after Moxidectin. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines.

47Reports
36%Marked serious
6.4%Recovered
17%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
SponsoredWorried about your pet? Ask a veterinarian online, 24/7

How soon it started

Same day
12 43%
1–2 days
5 18%
3–7 days
5 18%
1–4 weeks
2 7.1%
Over a month
4 14%

How the animals did

Recovered
3 6.4%
Still unwell when reported
24 51%
Died
8 17%
Not known
12 26%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
1
1–3 years
14
4–7 years
22
8–11 years
8
12+ years
2

About this medicine

Moxidectin prevents heartworm disease (monthly topical, or a 6- or 12-month injection for dogs).

Products with this ingredient include ProHeart 6, ProHeart 12. 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 Moxidectin cause hypophosphataemia in dogs?
47 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 1 day 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).

Hypophosphataemia with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Moxidectin in dogs · Medicines most reported with hypophosphataemia