Lateral recumbency after Spinosad (Comfortis) in dogs

52 reports to the FDA describe lateral recumbency in dogs given Spinosad. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

52Reports

85%Marked serious

44%Recovered

31%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

11 30%

1–2 days

7 19%

3–7 days

2 5.4%

1–4 weeks

5 14%

Over a month

12 32%

How the animals did

Recovered

14 27%

Recovered with lasting effects

9 17%

Still unwell when reported

5 9.6%

Died

6 12%

Euthanised

10 19%

Not known

8 15%

Problems reported at the same time

23 44%

22 42%

16 31%

15 29%

14 27%

13 25%

12 23%

11 21%

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 lateral recumbency in dogs?: 52 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 3 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).

Lateral recumbency with similar medicines

Lateral recumbency after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime (Sentinel) 20 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Lateral recumbency after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) 31 reports · 0.2% of its reports

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