Lameness after Prednisolone in cats

The FDA has received 25 reports of lameness in cats after Prednisolone. That is 2.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

25Reports

64%Marked serious

36%Recovered

12%Died or euthanised

18 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

1 5.0%

1–2 days

3 15%

3–7 days

1 5.0%

1–4 weeks

10 50%

Over a month

5 25%

How the animals did

Recovered

7 28%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 8.0%

Still unwell when reported

10 40%

Died

2 8.0%

Euthanised

1 4.0%

Not known

3 12%

Problems reported at the same time

12 48%

9 36%

7 28%

5 20%

Pain

5 20%

Blood problems

4 16%

Abnormal radiograph finding

4 16%

Intentional misuse

4 16%

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 lameness in cats?: 25 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 18 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).

Lameness with similar medicines

Lameness after Dexamethasone 26 reports · 3.4% of its reports

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