Diabetes after Spinosad (Comfortis) in dogs

29 reports to the FDA describe diabetes in dogs given Spinosad. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines.

29Reports

93%Marked serious

34%Recovered

24%Died or euthanised

14 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

6 40%

1–2 days

0 0.0%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

2 13%

Over a month

7 47%

How the animals did

Recovered with lasting effects

10 34%

Still unwell when reported

11 38%

Died

5 17%

Euthanised

2 6.9%

Not known

1 3.4%

Problems reported at the same time

8 28%

7 24%

5 17%

5 17%

5 17%

5 17%

4 14%

4 14%

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 diabetes in dogs?: 29 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 14 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).

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