Kidney problems after Prednisolone in dogs

The FDA has received 70 reports of kidney problems in dogs after Prednisolone. That is 5.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

70Reports

77%Marked serious

1.4%Recovered

37%Died or euthanised

14 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

6 11%

1–2 days

10 18%

3–7 days

8 14%

1–4 weeks

11 20%

Over a month

21 38%

How the animals did

Recovered

1 1.4%

Still unwell when reported

30 43%

Died

8 11%

Euthanised

18 26%

Not known

13 19%

Problems reported at the same time

38 54%

35 50%

30 43%

29 41%

28 40%

26 37%

22 31%

18 26%

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 kidney problems in dogs?: 70 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 14 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).

Kidney problems with similar medicines

Kidney problems after Prednisone 484 reports · 5.4% of its reports
Kidney problems after Dexamethasone 244 reports · 9.0% of its reports
Kidney problems after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 83 reports · 4.0% of its reports

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