Nystagmus after Spinosad (Comfortis) in dogs

61 reports to the FDA describe nystagmus 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.

61Reports

49%Marked serious

38%Recovered

9.8%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

8 26%

1–2 days

8 26%

3–7 days

2 6.5%

1–4 weeks

3 9.7%

Over a month

10 32%

How the animals did

Recovered

14 23%

Recovered with lasting effects

9 15%

Still unwell when reported

8 13%

Died

3 4.9%

Euthanised

3 4.9%

Not known

24 39%

Problems reported at the same time

Wobbliness (ataxia)

34 56%

Head tilt - ear disorder

23 38%

23 38%

21 34%

19 31%

13 21%

12 20%

10 16%

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 nystagmus in dogs?: 61 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 2 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).

Nystagmus with similar medicines

Nystagmus after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime (Sentinel) 22 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Nystagmus after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) 24 reports · 0.2% of its reports

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