Hyperglycaemia after Prednisolone in cats

69 reports to the FDA describe hyperglycaemia in cats given Prednisolone. That is 5.6% 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.

69Reports

78%Marked serious

17%Recovered

20%Died or euthanised

23 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

6 11%

1–2 days

8 14%

3–7 days

4 7.1%

1–4 weeks

14 25%

Over a month

24 43%

How the animals did

Recovered

11 16%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.4%

Still unwell when reported

28 41%

Died

6 8.7%

Euthanised

8 12%

Not known

15 22%

Problems reported at the same time

33 48%

24 35%

23 33%

21 30%

17 25%

16 23%

15 22%

14 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 hyperglycaemia in cats?: 69 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 23 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).

Hyperglycaemia with similar medicines

Hyperglycaemia after Prednisone 29 reports · 3.3% of its reports
Hyperglycaemia after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 40 reports · 5.0% of its reports
Hyperglycaemia after Dexamethasone 71 reports · 9.3% of its reports

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