Blood problems after Prednisolone in dogs

The FDA has received 130 reports of blood problems in dogs after Prednisolone. That is 11% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.8% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

130Reports

81%Marked serious

11%Recovered

36%Died or euthanised

13 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

15 14%

1–2 days

15 14%

3–7 days

16 15%

1–4 weeks

29 27%

Over a month

34 31%

How the animals did

Recovered

12 9.2%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 1.5%

Still unwell when reported

49 38%

Died

17 13%

Euthanised

30 23%

Not known

20 15%

Problems reported at the same time

59 45%

59 45%

53 41%

47 36%

40 31%

37 28%

35 27%

30 23%

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 blood problems in dogs?: 130 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 13 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).

Blood problems with similar medicines

Blood problems after Prednisone 671 reports · 7.5% of its reports
Blood problems after Dexamethasone 344 reports · 13% of its reports
Blood problems after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 89 reports · 4.3% of its reports

All reported side effects of Prednisolone in dogs · Medicines most reported with blood problems