Total Reports
1,271
FDA CVM filings
Dog /
FDA CVM · 2025 release 1,271 reports on file
Shepherd Dog (unspecified) - FDA Adverse Event Profile
Adverse-event records for Shepherd Dog (unspecified) (Dog) from the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine.
Data updated June 2026
The record at a glance
Among dog breeds, Shepherd Dog (unspecified) is #95 by FDA report volume; 3.2% of its 1,271 reports (41) were death-coded.
- #95
- most-reported dog breed
- 3.2%
- death-coded report share
- 248
- Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - heartworm - top reaction
- 4.5 yr
- average age at report
Report counts track breed popularity and reporting activity, not real-world risk, read this alongside how common the breed is.
Deaths Reported
41
of 1,271 reports
Death Rate
3.2%
death-coded share
Avg Age at Report
4.5 yr
27.0 kg avg weight
Death-Coded Outcome Share
Shepherd Dog (unspecified) death-coded reports 3.2%
Cross-breed median
3.2% of 1,271 shepherd dog (unspecified) reports involved a death outcome.
How to read this number
Read alongside breed popularity, veterinary access, and owner awareness, these shape how many events ever reach the FDA. The comparison line marks the cross-breed median death-coded share (about 4.8%) among breeds with 50 or more reports; values above it suggest higher reporting bias toward severe outcomes, not necessarily higher true mortality.
Average weight at time of report: 27.0 kg (59.5 lbs)
Top Reported Reactions
Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - heartworm 248
Vomiting 197
Emesis 179
Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological') 90
INEFFECTIVE, HEARTWORM LARVAE 69
Diarrhoea 67
Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - hookworm 66
Lack of efficacy - NOS 58
INEFFECTIVE, HOOKS 45
Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - roundworm NOS 38
Lack of efficacy (ectoparasite) - tick NOS 37
Seizure NOS 35
Lack of efficacy (ectoparasite) - flea 34
Lack of efficacy (bacteria) - NOS 28
Other abnormal test result NOS 27
Most Referenced Drugs
Ivermectin + Pyrantel As Pamoate Salt 411
Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad 387
Afoxolaner 181
Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel 128
Spinosad 71
Grapiprant 26
Melarsomine Dihydrochloride 24
Lotilaner 21
Milbemycin Oxime 18
Ivermectin 16
Carprofen 15
Recombitek Lyme - 2126.R0 13
Fluralaner 13.64% 12-Week Chew 13
Afoxolaner 75Mg / Moxidectin 360Mcg / Pyrantel 150Mg Chewable Tablet 12
Levothyroxine Sodium 10
Outcome Breakdown
Outcome Unknown
527 (41.4%)
Recovered/Normal
418 (32.9%)
Ongoing
171 (13.4%)
Recovered with Sequela
115 (9.0%)
Died
23 (1.8%)
Euthanized
18 (1.4%)
Gender Distribution
Female 696 (54.8%)
Male 553 (43.5%)
Unknown 18 (1.4%)
Mixed 4 (0.3%)
Reports by Year
| Year | Reports | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | |
| 2011 | 4 | |
| 2012 | 54 | |
| 2013 | 120 | |
| 2014 | 87 | |
| 2015 | 54 | |
| 2016 | 70 | |
| 2017 | 100 | |
| 2018 | 127 | |
| 2019 | 140 | |
| 2020 | 126 | |
| 2021 | 110 | |
| 2022 | 83 | |
| 2023 | 77 | |
| 2024 | 71 | |
| 2025 | 47 | |
Shepherd Dog (unspecified) Pet Health Insights
Shepherd Dog (unspecified) accounts for 1,271 FDA adverse event reports, ranking #95 by volume among dog breeds, with 41 reports (3.2%) coded as a death outcome. Mean age at report: 4.5 years, average weight 27.0 kg (59.5 lbs).
Top reported signs: Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - heartworm (248), Vomiting (197), Emesis (179). Most-referenced drug: Ivermectin + Pyrantel As Pamoate Salt (411 reports), followed by Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (387) and Afoxolaner (181).
Outcome coding on 1,272 status-recorded reports is dominated by Outcome Unknown (41.4%). Annual submissions ranged 2,010-2,025 across 16 years on file.
Dog Breeds With a Similar Report Volume
Frequently Asked Questions
How many FDA adverse event reports involve Shepherd Dog (unspecified)? ▼
There are 1,271 adverse event reports involving Shepherd Dog (unspecified) in the FDA database, with 41 reports involving death (3.2% death rate). Shepherd Dog (unspecified) ranks #95 by report volume.
What are the most common adverse reactions reported for Shepherd Dog (unspecified)? ▼
The most commonly reported adverse reactions for Shepherd Dog (unspecified) are Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - heartworm (248 reports), Vomiting (197 reports), Emesis (179 reports), Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological') (90 reports), INEFFECTIVE, HEARTWORM LARVAE (69 reports).
What drugs are most frequently associated with Shepherd Dog (unspecified) adverse events? ▼
The drugs most frequently referenced in Shepherd Dog (unspecified) adverse event reports are Ivermectin + Pyrantel As Pamoate Salt (411 reports), Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (387 reports), Afoxolaner (181 reports), Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (128 reports), Spinosad (71 reports).
What is the average age of Shepherd Dog (unspecified) in adverse event reports? ▼
The average age of Shepherd Dog (unspecified) at the time of adverse event reports is 4.5 years, with an average weight of 27.0 kg (59.5 lbs).
Does a high number of adverse event reports mean Shepherd Dog (unspecified) is unhealthy? ▼
No. FDA adverse event reports are voluntarily submitted and do not prove causation. Popular breeds with more veterinary visits tend to have more reports. The data reflects reporting patterns, not actual incidence rates. Always consult a veterinarian for health decisions.
Where does this Shepherd Dog (unspecified) safety data come from? ▼
All data comes from the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine's adverse event reporting system. Pet owners, veterinarians, and manufacturers voluntarily submit reports about adverse events potentially linked to animal drugs and other products.
Compare a breed's report volume against how common the breed is before drawing conclusions. See our methodology for how death rate and rankings are computed.
Every figure on PlainBreed is rendered directly from FDA openFDA adverse event data, no number is typed in by an editor. Breed figures are computed directly from FDA openFDA data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.