Flaking skin after Spinosad (Comfortis) in dogs

26 reports to the FDA describe flaking skin in dogs given Spinosad. That is 0.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

26Reports

12%Marked serious

69%Recovered

0.0%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

8 35%

1–2 days

3 13%

3–7 days

2 8.7%

1–4 weeks

2 8.7%

Over a month

8 35%

How the animals did

Recovered

7 27%

Recovered with lasting effects

11 42%

Still unwell when reported

3 12%

Not known

5 19%

Problems reported at the same time

14 54%

6 23%

5 19%

5 19%

4 15%

3 12%

3 12%

3 12%

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 flaking skin in dogs?: 26 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 4 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).

Flaking skin with similar medicines

Flaking skin after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) 21 reports · 0.2% of its reports

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