Blood problems after Prednisolone in cats

98 reports to the FDA describe blood problems in cats given Prednisolone. That is 7.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.9% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

98Reports

90%Marked serious

7.1%Recovered

33%Died or euthanised

12 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

13 16%

1–2 days

9 11%

3–7 days

7 8.6%

1–4 weeks

27 33%

Over a month

25 31%

How the animals did

Recovered

7 7.1%

Still unwell when reported

49 50%

Died

11 11%

Euthanised

21 21%

Not known

10 10%

Problems reported at the same time

59 60%

50 51%

32 33%

31 32%

31 32%

24 24%

23 23%

20 20%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Prednisolone reduces inflammation and immune activity.

Steroids commonly cause increased thirst, urination and appetite, especially at higher doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Prednisolone cause blood problems in cats?: 98 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 12 days 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).

Blood problems with similar medicines

Blood problems after Prednisone 64 reports · 7.2% of its reports
Blood problems after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 25 reports · 3.1% of its reports
Blood problems after Dexamethasone 87 reports · 11% of its reports

All reported side effects of Prednisolone in cats · Medicines most reported with blood problems