Abnormal radiograph finding after Spinosad (Comfortis) in dogs

The FDA has received 215 reports of abnormal radiograph finding in dogs after Spinosad. That is 0.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.9% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

215Reports

59%Marked serious

16%Recovered

37%Died or euthanised

16 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

23 23%

1–2 days

14 14%

3–7 days

4 4.0%

1–4 weeks

15 15%

Over a month

45 45%

How the animals did

Recovered

14 6.5%

Recovered with lasting effects

21 9.8%

Still unwell when reported

26 12%

Died

48 22%

Euthanised

32 15%

Not known

74 34%

Problems reported at the same time

114 53%

110 51%

100 47%

82 38%

73 34%

50 23%

46 21%

43 20%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Spinosad kills fleas; monthly chewable.

Products with this ingredient include Comfortis. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Spinosad cause abnormal radiograph finding in dogs?: 215 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 16 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).

Abnormal radiograph finding with similar medicines

Abnormal radiograph finding after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime (Sentinel) 179 reports · 0.7% of its reports
Abnormal radiograph finding after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) 89 reports · 0.7% of its reports
Abnormal radiograph finding after Nitenpyram (Capstar) 41 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Abnormal radiograph finding after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (Sentinel Spectrum) 40 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Abnormal radiograph finding after Fipronil 24 reports · 1.7% of its reports

All reported side effects of Spinosad in dogs · Medicines most reported with abnormal radiograph finding