Hypothermia after Selamectin (Revolution) in dogs

The FDA has received 68 reports of hypothermia in dogs after Selamectin. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines.

68Reports
31%Marked serious
5.9%Recovered
54%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
13 50%
1–2 days
8 31%
3–7 days
1 3.8%
1–4 weeks
1 3.8%
Over a month
3 12%

How the animals did

Recovered
4 5.9%
Still unwell when reported
7 10%
Died
36 53%
Euthanised
1 1.5%
Not known
20 29%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
41
1–3 years
7
4–7 years
8
8–11 years
7
12+ years
5

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 hypothermia in dogs?
68 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).

Hypothermia with similar medicines

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