Leucocytosis after Prednisolone in dogs

The FDA has received 76 reports of leucocytosis in dogs after Prednisolone. That is 6.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.0% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

76Reports

87%Marked serious

11%Recovered

41%Died or euthanised

9 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

7 11%

1–2 days

10 16%

3–7 days

12 20%

1–4 weeks

16 26%

Over a month

16 26%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 11%

Still unwell when reported

25 33%

Died

11 14%

Euthanised

20 26%

Not known

12 16%

Problems reported at the same time

45 59%

41 54%

40 53%

38 50%

37 49%

31 41%

27 36%

26 34%

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 leucocytosis in dogs?: 76 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 9 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).

Leucocytosis with similar medicines

Leucocytosis after Prednisone 389 reports · 4.4% of its reports
Leucocytosis after Dexamethasone 231 reports · 8.5% of its reports
Leucocytosis after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 56 reports · 2.7% of its reports

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