My dog has ivermectin toxicity. Will she recover from her symptoms?

Hi, thanks for using Petcoach! Poor Geo!! We can not predict which dogs are sensitive to Ivermectin, it is genetic. But all the symptoms you described are classic for ivermectin toxicity. He can never have any drug containing ivermectin. Did your Vet think he had demodex or scabies? There are other drugs that are safer to use. Revolution can treat scabies and Nexgard can treat demodex. It may be wise to have Geo tested for the MDR1 gene. http://vcpl.vetmed.wsu.edu/ The effects should not be permanent! Here is some more information: http://www.cliniciansbrief.com/sites/default/files/attachments/Ivermectin%20Toxicosis.pdf I hope this helps and I wish Geo a speedy recovery!

It sounds like there may be something else going wrong with Dobby. I recommend that you take her back to the vet for re-examination. Ivermectin can cause neurologic problems if toxic doses were given, but they usually happen soon after administration. I am most concerned about the falling and walking improperly, as this could indicate a brain or spinal cord issue, or significant pain in her back or legs. It takes approximately 10-14 days to get Distemper once a dog is exposed, and thankfully the vaccine gives some protection within hours of it being given, but it is still possible that she was exposed even before you got her. Distemper can cause neurologic issues as well.

In most cases (80 to 90%), pets can recover from anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity if treated appropriately. Has vitamin K been started? Dependent on the type of bait ingested treatment can be needed for some time (up to 4+ weeks with some types of baits or if the bait was unknown). I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Since he is eating, it may be helpful to feed him a high fat meal. See if he will eat a little Ghee or something else really fatty. The fat can help bind the toxin in the blood. You can also make sure he gets plenty of water. You can add rehydration salts (ORS) to his water. If he's not drinking, then you can gently put some in his mouth with a syringe. Don't force it though. You should also try to keep him warm. Ideally, this cat would have and IV drip and be under observation until the toxin was cleared; so try to get him to the vet as soon as you can in the morning.

If it was Heartgard, there is no cause for concern. It is an extremely safe product and very difficult to overdose. If it was a different preparation of ivermectin, a double dose may not be cause for concern unless your dog is sensitive to it or carries the MDR1 gene. Typically, a non sensitive dog requires dosing around 2000mcg/kg before clinical signs become apparent. See your vet for an exam as soon as you can if you are concerned. Bring the container of ivermectin with you. Treatment for ivermectin toxicity is supportive in nature. Monitor for vomiting, excess salivation, ataxia (wobbly gait), dilated pupils or tremors.

These are signs of possible intoxication and I would strongly recommend to take both your dogs to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Insurance won't cover what is happening now but taking them to your veterinarian could save their life. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Given that it was at least a week after the injection, I would not suspect it was the cause of her symptoms. If she was to experience a reaction to the injection, it would normally occur much sooner after the injection was normally given. Bees are very toxic to dogs, and it is possible that Ivy was stung by one even if you didn't happen to see it. You did absolutely the right thing by rushing her into the ER vet, and I'm so glad that she recovered quickly . I hope she also recovers fully from heartworm :-)