Pyoderma after Spinosad (Comfortis) in dogs

The FDA has received 128 reports of pyoderma in dogs after Spinosad. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines.

128Reports

25%Marked serious

20%Recovered

3.1%Died or euthanised

20 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

8 20%

1–2 days

5 12%

3–7 days

4 9.8%

1–4 weeks

9 22%

Over a month

15 37%

How the animals did

Recovered

10 7.8%

Recovered with lasting effects

15 12%

Still unwell when reported

15 12%

Died

4 3.1%

Not known

84 66%

Problems reported at the same time

Itching

44 34%

Skin rash or irritation

41 32%

29 23%

22 17%

18 14%

15 12%

15 12%

15 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 pyoderma in dogs?: 128 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 20 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).

Pyoderma with similar medicines

Pyoderma after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime (Sentinel) 56 reports · 0.2% of its reports
Pyoderma after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) 54 reports · 0.4% of its reports

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