Kidney problems after Vitamin B12 in dogs

The FDA has received 47 reports of kidney problems in dogs after Vitamin B12. That is 12% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

47Reports
87%Marked serious
2.1%Recovered
72%Died or euthanised
14 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
3 7.0%
1–2 days
11 26%
3–7 days
3 7.0%
1–4 weeks
10 23%
Over a month
16 37%

How the animals did

Recovered
1 2.1%
Still unwell when reported
12 26%
Died
10 21%
Euthanised
24 51%

Problems reported at the same time

34 72%
22 47%
19 40%
Hyperphosphataemia
13 28%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
4
4–7 years
6
8–11 years
18
12+ years
19

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Vitamin B12 cause kidney problems in dogs?
47 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 14 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).

Kidney problems with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Vitamin B12 in dogs · Medicines most reported with kidney problems