Wobbliness (ataxia) after Xylazine in horses

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

23Reports
70%Marked serious
22%Recovered
43%Died or euthanised
Same dayTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
14 78%
1–2 days
4 22%
3–7 days
0 0.0%
1–4 weeks
0 0.0%
Over a month
0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered
3 13%
Recovered with lasting effects
2 8.7%
Still unwell when reported
2 8.7%
Died
8 35%
Euthanised
2 8.7%
Not known
6 26%

Problems reported at the same time

11 48%
10 43%
Pale mucous membrane
6 26%
Weakness
3 13%
Neurological signs
3 13%
Lateral recumbency
3 13%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
4
4–7 years
7
8–11 years
5
12+ years
4

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Xylazine cause wobbliness (ataxia) in horses?
23 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

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