Didn't prevent heartworm after Prednisolone in dogs

The FDA has received 87 reports of didn't prevent heartworm in dogs after Prednisolone. That is 7.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 13% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

87Reports
52%Marked serious
8.0%Recovered
1.1%Died or euthanised
217 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
2 3.5%
1–2 days
0 0.0%
3–7 days
0 0.0%
1–4 weeks
1 1.8%
Over a month
54 95%

How the animals did

Recovered
6 6.9%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 1.1%
Still unwell when reported
49 56%
Died
1 1.1%
Not known
30 34%

Problems reported at the same time

Weight loss
5 5.7%
Intentional misuse
5 5.7%
Didn't work as expected
4 4.6%
Weight gain
4 4.6%
Lethargy
4 4.6%
Blood problems
4 4.6%
Diarrhea
3 3.4%
Drug dose omission
3 3.4%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
3
1–3 years
47
4–7 years
20
8–11 years
14
12+ years
3

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 didn't prevent heartworm in dogs?
87 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 217 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).

Didn't prevent heartworm with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Prednisolone in dogs · Medicines most reported with didn't prevent heartworm