Total Reports
2,725
FDA CVM filings
Dog /
FDA CVM · 2025 release 2,725 reports on file
Shepherd (unspecified) - FDA Adverse Event Profile
Adverse-event records for Shepherd (unspecified) (Dog) from the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine.
Data updated June 2026
The record at a glance
Among dog breeds, Shepherd (unspecified) is #67 by FDA report volume; 4.4% of its 2,725 reports (119) were death-coded.
- #67
- most-reported dog breed
- 4.4%
- death-coded report share
- 505
- Vomiting - top reaction
- 5.5 yr
- average age at report
Higher volume usually means a more popular breed, not a riskier one, compare against how common the breed is.
Deaths Reported
119
of 2,725 reports
Death Rate
4.4%
death-coded share
Avg Age at Report
5.5 yr
27.4 kg avg weight
Death-Coded Outcome Share
Shepherd (unspecified) death-coded reports 4.4%
Cross-breed median
4.4% of 2,725 shepherd (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: 27.4 kg (60.4 lbs)
Top Reported Reactions
Vomiting 505
Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - heartworm 261
Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological') 227
Emesis 222
Diarrhoea 198
Lack of efficacy - NOS 131
Seizure NOS 120
Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - hookworm 109
INEFFECTIVE, HEARTWORM LARVAE 87
Lack of efficacy (ectoparasite) - flea 86
Lack of efficacy (bacteria) - Borrelia 79
Ataxia 69
Decreased appetite 68
Anorexia 64
Behavioural disorder NOS 64
Most Referenced Drugs
Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad 609
Pyrantel Pamoate;Sarolaner 428
Moxidectin 306
Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel 250
Bedinvetmab 201
Carprofen 151
Oclacitinib Maleate 144
Spinosad 142
Sarolaner 126
Selamectin 93
Melarsomine Dihydrochloride 76
Gabapentin 75
Grapiprant 71
Lotilaner 63
Prednisone 59
Outcome Breakdown
Ongoing
1,134 (41.6%)
Recovered/Normal
801 (29.4%)
Outcome Unknown
612 (22.5%)
Euthanized
65 (2.4%)
Recovered with Sequela
59 (2.2%)
Died
54 (2.0%)
Gender Distribution
Female 1,427 (52.4%)
Male 1,237 (45.4%)
Unknown 53 (1.9%)
Mixed 8 (0.3%)
Reports by Year
| Year | Reports | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | |
| 2011 | 16 | |
| 2012 | 143 | |
| 2013 | 208 | |
| 2014 | 148 | |
| 2015 | 159 | |
| 2016 | 165 | |
| 2017 | 189 | |
| 2018 | 165 | |
| 2019 | 187 | |
| 2020 | 204 | |
| 2021 | 204 | |
| 2022 | 194 | |
| 2023 | 244 | |
| 2024 | 339 | |
| 2025 | 159 | |
Shepherd (unspecified) Pet Health Insights
Shepherd (unspecified) accounts for 2,725 FDA adverse event reports, ranking #67 by volume among dog breeds, with 119 reports (4.4%) coded as a death outcome. Mean age at report: 5.5 years, average weight 27.4 kg (60.4 lbs).
Top reported signs: Vomiting (505), Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - heartworm (261), Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological') (227). Most-referenced drug: Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (609 reports), followed by Pyrantel Pamoate;Sarolaner (428) and Moxidectin (306).
Outcome coding on 2,725 status-recorded reports is dominated by Ongoing (41.6%). 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 (unspecified)? ▼
There are 2,725 adverse event reports involving Shepherd (unspecified) in the FDA database, with 119 reports involving death (4.4% death rate). Shepherd (unspecified) ranks #67 by report volume.
What are the most common adverse reactions reported for Shepherd (unspecified)? ▼
The most commonly reported adverse reactions for Shepherd (unspecified) are Vomiting (505 reports), Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - heartworm (261 reports), Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological') (227 reports), Emesis (222 reports), Diarrhoea (198 reports).
What drugs are most frequently associated with Shepherd (unspecified) adverse events? ▼
The drugs most frequently referenced in Shepherd (unspecified) adverse event reports are Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (609 reports), Pyrantel Pamoate;Sarolaner (428 reports), Moxidectin (306 reports), Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (250 reports), Bedinvetmab (201 reports).
What is the average age of Shepherd (unspecified) in adverse event reports? ▼
The average age of Shepherd (unspecified) at the time of adverse event reports is 5.5 years, with an average weight of 27.4 kg (60.4 lbs).
Does a high number of adverse event reports mean Shepherd (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 (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.