Neutropenia after Prednisolone in cats

24 reports to the FDA describe neutropenia in cats given Prednisolone. That is 1.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

24Reports

83%Marked serious

17%Recovered

42%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

7 39%

1–2 days

3 17%

3–7 days

1 5.6%

1–4 weeks

3 17%

Over a month

4 22%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 17%

Still unwell when reported

7 29%

Died

5 21%

Euthanised

5 21%

Not known

3 13%

Problems reported at the same time

16 67%

15 63%

11 46%

11 46%

10 42%

Leucopenia

10 42%

Liver problems

9 38%

Blood problems

7 29%

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 neutropenia in cats?: 24 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 1 day 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).

Neutropenia with similar medicines

Neutropenia after Dexamethasone 27 reports · 3.5% of its reports

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