Breathing problems after Spinosad (Comfortis) in dogs

The FDA has received 748 reports of breathing problems in dogs after Spinosad. That is 1.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.7% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

748Reports
42%Marked serious
42%Recovered
22%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
181 41%
1–2 days
64 14%
3–7 days
27 6.1%
1–4 weeks
26 5.9%
Over a month
145 33%

How the animals did

Recovered
221 30%
Recovered with lasting effects
90 12%
Still unwell when reported
44 5.9%
Died
113 15%
Euthanised
51 6.8%
Not known
229 31%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
45
1–3 years
197
4–7 years
196
8–11 years
197
12+ years
91

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 breathing problems in dogs?
748 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).

Breathing problems with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Spinosad in dogs · Medicines most reported with breathing problems