Wobbliness (ataxia) after Prednisolone in cats

82 reports to the FDA describe wobbliness (ataxia) in cats given Prednisolone. That is 6.6% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.7% across reports for all cat medicines.

82Reports

72%Marked serious

27%Recovered

24%Died or euthanised

5 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

16 24%

1–2 days

15 22%

3–7 days

11 16%

1–4 weeks

9 13%

Over a month

17 25%

How the animals did

Recovered

21 26%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.2%

Still unwell when reported

26 32%

Died

6 7.3%

Euthanised

14 17%

Not known

14 17%

Problems reported at the same time

31 38%

24 29%

20 24%

14 17%

12 15%

12 15%

10 12%

10 12%

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 wobbliness (ataxia) in cats?: 82 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 5 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).

Wobbliness (ataxia) with similar medicines

Wobbliness (ataxia) after Prednisone 75 reports · 8.4% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 94 reports · 12% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Dexamethasone 81 reports · 11% of its reports

All reported side effects of Prednisolone in cats · Medicines most reported with wobbliness (ataxia)