Swelling after Prednisone in cats

31 reports to the FDA describe swelling in cats given Prednisone. That is 3.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.9% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

31Reports

71%Marked serious

16%Recovered

32%Died or euthanised

9 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 14%

1–2 days

5 18%

3–7 days

4 14%

1–4 weeks

4 14%

Over a month

11 39%

How the animals did

Recovered

5 16%

Still unwell when reported

15 48%

Died

6 19%

Euthanised

4 13%

Not known

1 3.2%

Problems reported at the same time

10 32%

8 26%

6 19%

5 16%

4 13%

4 13%

4 13%

4 13%

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 swelling in cats?: 31 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 9 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).

Swelling with similar medicines

Swelling after Prednisolone 39 reports · 3.2% of its reports
Swelling after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 26 reports · 3.2% of its reports
Swelling after Dexamethasone 79 reports · 10% of its reports

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