Collapse after Xylazine in horses

The FDA has received 42 reports of collapse in horses after Xylazine. That is 9.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.5% across reports for all horse medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

42Reports

57%Marked serious

24%Recovered

45%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

22 92%

1–2 days

1 4.2%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

0 0.0%

Over a month

1 4.2%

How the animals did

Recovered

9 21%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 2.4%

Still unwell when reported

1 2.4%

Died

15 36%

Euthanised

4 9.5%

Not known

12 29%

Problems reported at the same time

Death

19 45%

Seizures

12 29%

Wobbliness (ataxia)

11 26%

Pale mucous membrane

8 19%

Breathing problems

6 14%

Allergic reaction

6 14%

Nystagmus

4 9.5%

Tremors

4 9.5%

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 Xylazine cause collapse in horses?: 42 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).

Collapse with similar medicines

Collapse after Ceftiofur 61 reports · 5.0% of its reports
Collapse after Detomidine 63 reports · 6.4% of its reports
Collapse after Flunixin Meglumine 55 reports · 8.8% of its reports
Collapse after Butorphanol 29 reports · 9.7% of its reports

All reported side effects of Xylazine in horses · Medicines most reported with collapse