Wobbliness (ataxia) after Detomidine in horses

60 reports to the FDA describe wobbliness (ataxia) in horses given Detomidine. That is 6.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.9% across reports for all horse medicines.

60Reports

40%Marked serious

32%Recovered

15%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

26 87%

1–2 days

4 13%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

0 0.0%

Over a month

0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

18 30%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.7%

Still unwell when reported

6 10%

Died

8 13%

Euthanised

1 1.7%

Not known

26 43%

Problems reported at the same time

12 20%

11 18%

10 17%

9 15%

9 15%

8 13%

7 12%

6 10%

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 Detomidine cause wobbliness (ataxia) in horses?: 60 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 the same day 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).

Wobbliness (ataxia) with similar medicines

Wobbliness (ataxia) after Pergolide 49 reports · 4.0% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Ceftiofur 37 reports · 3.0% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Flunixin Meglumine 38 reports · 6.1% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Xylazine 23 reports · 4.9% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Butorphanol 24 reports · 8.0% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Ponazuril 32 reports · 18% of its reports

All reported side effects of Detomidine in horses · Medicines most reported with wobbliness (ataxia)