Leucocytosis after Prednisone in cats

28 reports to the FDA describe leucocytosis in cats given Prednisone. That is 3.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.9% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

28Reports

75%Marked serious

29%Recovered

11%Died or euthanised

12 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

7 33%

1–2 days

3 14%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

5 24%

Over a month

6 29%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 14%

Recovered with lasting effects

4 14%

Still unwell when reported

14 50%

Euthanised

3 11%

Not known

3 11%

Problems reported at the same time

13 46%

13 46%

11 39%

10 36%

9 32%

7 25%

7 25%

5 18%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Prednisone reduces inflammation and immune activity.

Steroids commonly cause increased thirst, urination and appetite, especially at higher doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Prednisone cause leucocytosis in cats?: 28 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 12 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).

Leucocytosis with similar medicines

Leucocytosis after Prednisolone 23 reports · 1.9% of its reports
Leucocytosis after Dexamethasone 38 reports · 5.0% of its reports

All reported side effects of Prednisone in cats · Medicines most reported with leucocytosis