Excessive thirst after Prednisolone in cats

The FDA has received 38 reports of excessive thirst in cats after Prednisolone. That is 3.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.0% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

38Reports

50%Marked serious

7.9%Recovered

16%Died or euthanised

24 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

1 3.8%

1–2 days

3 12%

3–7 days

4 15%

1–4 weeks

6 23%

Over a month

12 46%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 5.3%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 2.6%

Still unwell when reported

18 47%

Died

2 5.3%

Euthanised

4 11%

Not known

11 29%

Problems reported at the same time

20 53%

15 39%

12 32%

10 26%

9 24%

9 24%

8 21%

7 18%

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 excessive thirst in cats?: 38 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 24 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).

Excessive thirst with similar medicines

Excessive thirst after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 25 reports · 3.1% of its reports

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