Weakness after Prednisolone in dogs

The FDA has received 63 reports of weakness in dogs after Prednisolone. That is 5.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

63Reports

70%Marked serious

16%Recovered

30%Died or euthanised

15 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

8 16%

1–2 days

10 20%

3–7 days

4 8.0%

1–4 weeks

10 20%

Over a month

18 36%

How the animals did

Recovered

9 14%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.6%

Still unwell when reported

24 38%

Died

8 13%

Euthanised

11 17%

Not known

10 16%

Problems reported at the same time

21 33%

19 30%

19 30%

17 27%

16 25%

13 21%

12 19%

10 16%

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 weakness in dogs?: 63 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 15 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).

Weakness with similar medicines

Weakness after Prednisone 418 reports · 4.7% of its reports
Weakness after Dexamethasone 203 reports · 7.5% of its reports
Weakness after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 46 reports · 2.2% of its reports

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