Ketosis after Prednisolone in cats

The FDA has received 29 reports of ketosis in cats after Prednisolone. That is 2.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.2% across reports for all cat medicines.

29Reports

17%Marked serious

3.4%Recovered

6.9%Died or euthanised

36 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

1 4.5%

1–2 days

2 9.1%

3–7 days

2 9.1%

1–4 weeks

6 27%

Over a month

11 50%

How the animals did

Recovered

1 3.4%

Still unwell when reported

12 41%

Euthanised

2 6.9%

Not known

14 48%

Problems reported at the same time

15 52%

11 38%

8 28%

7 24%

5 17%

Hypoglycaemia

5 17%

Excessive thirst

5 17%

Vomiting

4 14%

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 ketosis in cats?: 29 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 36 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).

Ketosis with similar medicines

Ketosis after Prednisone 20 reports · 2.2% of its reports

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