Seizures after Prednisolone in dogs

The FDA has received 62 reports of seizures in dogs after Prednisolone. That is 5.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.4% across reports for all dog medicines.

62Reports

95%Marked serious

26%Recovered

32%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

17 33%

1–2 days

8 16%

3–7 days

3 5.9%

1–4 weeks

7 14%

Over a month

16 31%

How the animals did

Recovered

15 24%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.6%

Still unwell when reported

17 27%

Died

11 18%

Euthanised

9 15%

Not known

9 15%

Problems reported at the same time

20 32%

10 16%

9 15%

8 13%

8 13%

Eye or vision problems

6 9.7%

Tremors

6 9.7%

Vomiting

6 9.7%

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 seizures in dogs?: 62 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 3 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).

Seizures with similar medicines

Seizures after Prednisone 388 reports · 4.3% of its reports
Seizures after Dexamethasone 201 reports · 7.4% of its reports
Seizures after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 106 reports · 5.1% of its reports
Seizures after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 31 reports · 4.8% of its reports

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