Trauma after Spinosad (Comfortis) in dogs

The FDA has received 59 reports of trauma in dogs after Spinosad. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

59Reports

61%Marked serious

49%Recovered

20%Died or euthanised

23 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

10 26%

1–2 days

2 5.3%

3–7 days

2 5.3%

1–4 weeks

7 18%

Over a month

17 45%

How the animals did

Recovered

20 34%

Recovered with lasting effects

9 15%

Still unwell when reported

6 10%

Died

9 15%

Euthanised

3 5.1%

Not known

12 20%

Problems reported at the same time

17 29%

11 19%

9 15%

9 15%

8 14%

Skin rash or irritation

6 10%

Behaviour change

6 10%

Tremors

6 10%

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 trauma in dogs?: 59 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 23 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).

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