Loss of appetite after Prednisolone in cats

The FDA has received 317 reports of loss of appetite in cats after Prednisolone. That is 26% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

317Reports

72%Marked serious

14%Recovered

26%Died or euthanised

7 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

43 17%

1–2 days

47 19%

3–7 days

40 16%

1–4 weeks

64 25%

Over a month

57 23%

How the animals did

Recovered

44 14%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.3%

Still unwell when reported

131 41%

Died

23 7.3%

Euthanised

60 19%

Not known

58 18%

Problems reported at the same time

151 48%

86 27%

84 26%

83 26%

59 19%

55 17%

50 16%

50 16%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

154

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 loss of appetite in cats?: 317 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 7 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).

Loss of appetite with similar medicines

Loss of appetite after Prednisone 206 reports · 23% of its reports
Loss of appetite after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 224 reports · 28% of its reports
Loss of appetite after Dexamethasone 252 reports · 33% of its reports

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