Collapse after Prednisolone in dogs

The FDA has received 36 reports of collapse in dogs after Prednisolone. That is 3.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.9% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

36Reports

83%Marked serious

17%Recovered

42%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

14 47%

1–2 days

2 6.7%

3–7 days

4 13%

1–4 weeks

2 6.7%

Over a month

8 27%

How the animals did

Recovered

6 17%

Still unwell when reported

12 33%

Died

11 31%

Euthanised

4 11%

Not known

3 8.3%

Problems reported at the same time

15 42%

15 42%

11 31%

11 31%

10 28%

10 28%

10 28%

10 28%

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 collapse in dogs?: 36 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 2 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).

Collapse with similar medicines

Collapse after Prednisone 218 reports · 2.4% of its reports
Collapse after Dexamethasone 232 reports · 8.5% of its reports
Collapse after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 28 reports · 1.3% of its reports

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