Weight gain after Prednisolone in dogs

24 reports to the FDA describe weight gain in dogs given Prednisolone. That is 2.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

24Reports

50%Marked serious

8.3%Recovered

0.0%Died or euthanised

46 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

2 11%

1–2 days

2 11%

3–7 days

2 11%

1–4 weeks

1 5.6%

Over a month

11 61%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 8.3%

Still unwell when reported

8 33%

Not known

14 58%

Problems reported at the same time

Lethargy

9 38%

Liver problems

6 25%

Didn't work as expected

5 21%

5 21%

5 21%

5 21%

5 21%

High sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio)

5 21%

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 weight gain in dogs?: 24 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 46 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).

Weight gain with similar medicines

Weight gain after Prednisone 248 reports · 2.8% of its reports
Weight gain after Dexamethasone 35 reports · 1.3% of its reports
Weight gain after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 33 reports · 1.6% of its reports

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