Skin rash or irritation after Prednisolone in cats

The FDA has received 81 reports of skin rash or irritation in cats after Prednisolone. That is 6.6% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.0% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

81Reports
73%Marked serious
9.9%Recovered
7.4%Died or euthanised
22 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
6 8.5%
1–2 days
3 4.2%
3–7 days
14 20%
1–4 weeks
25 35%
Over a month
23 32%

How the animals did

Recovered
8 9.9%
Still unwell when reported
57 70%
Died
2 2.5%
Euthanised
4 4.9%
Not known
10 12%

Problems reported at the same time

Itching
49 60%
Hair loss
33 41%
Skin scab
27 33%
Loss of appetite
17 21%
Skin redness
15 19%
Didn't work as expected
15 19%
Bacterial skin infection
14 17%
Crust
12 15%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
7
4–7 years
8
8–11 years
20
12+ years
45

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 skin rash or irritation in cats?
81 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 22 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).

Skin rash or irritation with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Prednisolone in cats · Medicines most reported with skin rash or irritation