Liver problems after Vitamin B12 in dogs

The FDA has received 75 reports of liver problems in dogs after Vitamin B12. That is 20% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

75Reports
84%Marked serious
5.3%Recovered
40%Died or euthanised
15 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
3 4.7%
1–2 days
16 25%
3–7 days
5 7.8%
1–4 weeks
17 27%
Over a month
23 36%

How the animals did

Recovered
4 5.3%
Still unwell when reported
39 52%
Died
12 16%
Euthanised
18 24%
Not known
2 2.7%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
4
1–3 years
9
4–7 years
20
8–11 years
24
12+ years
18

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Vitamin B12 cause liver problems in dogs?
75 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 15 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).

Liver problems with similar medicines

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