Pica after Spinosad (Comfortis) in dogs

107 reports to the FDA describe pica in dogs given Spinosad. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines.

107Reports

22%Marked serious

58%Recovered

5.6%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

34 45%

1–2 days

9 12%

3–7 days

4 5.3%

1–4 weeks

3 3.9%

Over a month

26 34%

How the animals did

Recovered

48 45%

Recovered with lasting effects

14 13%

Still unwell when reported

10 9.3%

Died

3 2.8%

Euthanised

3 2.8%

Not known

29 27%

Problems reported at the same time

72 67%

40 37%

26 24%

19 18%

10 9.3%

10 9.3%

9 8.4%

9 8.4%

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 pica in dogs?: 107 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).

Pica with similar medicines

Pica after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime (Sentinel) 71 reports · 0.3% of its reports
Pica after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) 62 reports · 0.5% of its reports
Pica after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (Sentinel Spectrum) 36 reports · 0.4% of its reports

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