Diarrhea after Prednisolone in cats

102 reports to the FDA describe diarrhea in cats given Prednisolone. That is 8.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 5.1% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

102Reports

61%Marked serious

19%Recovered

18%Died or euthanised

9 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

14 18%

1–2 days

11 14%

3–7 days

9 11%

1–4 weeks

17 22%

Over a month

28 35%

How the animals did

Recovered

19 19%

Still unwell when reported

46 45%

Died

5 4.9%

Euthanised

13 13%

Not known

19 19%

Problems reported at the same time

39 38%

33 32%

24 24%

18 18%

17 17%

13 13%

Didn't work as expected

13 13%

Liver problems

12 12%

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 diarrhea in cats?: 102 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 9 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).

Diarrhea with similar medicines

Diarrhea after Prednisone 79 reports · 8.9% of its reports
Diarrhea after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 38 reports · 4.7% of its reports
Diarrhea after Dexamethasone 73 reports · 9.5% of its reports

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