Hydrocortisone side effects in dogs

75 reports sent to the FDA between 2006 and 2026 involve Hydrocortisone in dogs. The most reported problems were vomiting, lethargy, itching. 49% were marked serious, and where it was recorded, signs eased after stopping the medicine in 100% of cases.

75Reports
49%Marked serious
0.0%Only medicine involved
23%Recovered
11%Died or euthanised
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About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Most reported side effects

Vomiting
14 19%
Lethargy
13 17%
Itching
11 15%
Loss of appetite
8 11%
Seizures
8 11%
Blood problems
7 9.3%
Wobbliness (ataxia)
7 9.3%
Skin rash or irritation
7 9.3%
Diarrhea
6 8.0%
Breathing problems
6 8.0%
Liver problems
6 8.0%
Behaviour change
6 8.0%
Hair loss
6 8.0%
Ear infection
6 8.0%
Drooling
5 6.7%

Share = percentage of this medicine's reports that mention the problem. One report can list several problems.

Reports that it didn't work

Some reports are about the medicine not working (for example a dog still getting fleas or heartworm), not about a side effect.

Didn't work as expected
17 23%
Didn't prevent heartworm
2 2.7%
Didn't stop fleas
1 1.3%
Didn't stop worms
1 1.3%

How soon problems started

Same day
11 19%
1–2 days
5 8.8%
3–7 days
9 16%
1–4 weeks
9 16%
Over a month
23 40%

Time from the first dose to the first sign, where both dates were reported (57 reports).

How the animals did

Recovered
15 20%
Recovered with lasting effects
2 2.7%
Still unwell when reported
29 39%
Died
2 2.7%
Euthanised
6 8.0%
Not known
21 28%

Breeds named most often

Popular breeds appear more often because there are more of them.

Other medicines for dogs