Lymphopenia after Prednisolone in dogs

21 reports to the FDA describe lymphopenia in dogs given Prednisolone. That is 1.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

21Reports

76%Marked serious

14%Recovered

24%Died or euthanised

5 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

3 19%

1–2 days

3 19%

3–7 days

3 19%

1–4 weeks

3 19%

Over a month

4 25%

How the animals did

Recovered

3 14%

Still unwell when reported

10 48%

Died

1 4.8%

Euthanised

4 19%

Not known

3 14%

Problems reported at the same time

12 57%

12 57%

12 57%

10 48%

9 43%

8 38%

8 38%

7 33%

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 lymphopenia in dogs?: 21 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 5 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).

Lymphopenia with similar medicines

Lymphopenia after Prednisone 150 reports · 1.7% of its reports
Lymphopenia after Dexamethasone 61 reports · 2.2% of its reports
Lymphopenia after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 20 reports · 1.0% of its reports

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