Kidney problems after Prednisolone in cats

84 reports to the FDA describe kidney problems in cats given Prednisolone. That is 6.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.5% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

84Reports

85%Marked serious

2.4%Recovered

38%Died or euthanised

15 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

9 13%

1–2 days

5 7.5%

3–7 days

11 16%

1–4 weeks

21 31%

Over a month

21 31%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 2.4%

Still unwell when reported

38 45%

Died

10 12%

Euthanised

22 26%

Not known

12 14%

Problems reported at the same time

50 60%

32 38%

32 38%

31 37%

27 32%

27 32%

22 26%

17 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 kidney problems in cats?: 84 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 15 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).

Kidney problems with similar medicines

Kidney problems after Prednisone 48 reports · 5.4% of its reports
Kidney problems after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 34 reports · 4.2% of its reports
Kidney problems after Dexamethasone 89 reports · 12% of its reports

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