Excessive thirst after Selamectin (Revolution) in dogs

160 reports to the FDA describe excessive thirst in dogs given Selamectin. That is 0.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

160Reports

17%Marked serious

5.0%Recovered

14%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

16 39%

1–2 days

4 9.8%

3–7 days

4 9.8%

1–4 weeks

6 15%

Over a month

11 27%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 5.0%

Still unwell when reported

26 16%

Died

14 8.8%

Euthanised

8 5.0%

Not known

104 65%

Problems reported at the same time

77 48%

58 36%

56 35%

36 23%

26 16%

24 15%

23 14%

22 14%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Selamectin prevents heartworm and treats fleas, ear mites and some worms (spot-on).

Products with this ingredient include Revolution. 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 Selamectin cause excessive thirst in dogs?: 160 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 3 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).

Excessive thirst with similar medicines

Excessive thirst after Ivermectin + Pyrantel (Heartgard Plus) 404 reports · 0.3% of its reports
Excessive thirst after Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (Trifexis) 448 reports · 0.3% of its reports
Excessive thirst after Moxidectin (ProHeart 6) 361 reports · 0.7% of its reports
Excessive thirst after Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (Interceptor Plus) 123 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Excessive thirst after Milbemycin Oxime (Interceptor) 147 reports · 0.5% of its reports
Excessive thirst after Ivermectin (Heartgard) 100 reports · 0.8% of its reports
Excessive thirst after Ivermectin + Praziquantel + Pyrantel (Iverhart Max) 25 reports · 0.3% of its reports

All reported side effects of Selamectin in dogs · Medicines most reported with excessive thirst