Leucocytosis after Ceftiofur in horses

The FDA has received 21 reports of leucocytosis in horses after Ceftiofur. That is 1.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all horse medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

21Reports

48%Marked serious

14%Recovered

19%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 31%

1–2 days

2 13%

3–7 days

7 44%

1–4 weeks

1 6.3%

Over a month

1 6.3%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 9.5%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 4.8%

Still unwell when reported

8 38%

Euthanised

4 19%

Not known

6 29%

Problems reported at the same time

Swelling

10 48%

Fever

9 43%

Injection site reaction

8 38%

Loss of appetite

7 33%

Neutrophilia

5 24%

Hypoproteinaemia

5 24%

Lethargy

5 24%

Abnormal ultrasound finding

5 24%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Ceftiofur cause leucocytosis in horses?: 21 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 3 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 Ceftiofur in horses · Medicines most reported with leucocytosis