Weight loss after Prednisolone in dogs

80 reports to the FDA describe weight loss in dogs given Prednisolone. That is 6.6% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.7% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

80Reports

79%Marked serious

7.5%Recovered

25%Died or euthanised

15 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

6 10%

1–2 days

8 14%

3–7 days

7 12%

1–4 weeks

17 29%

Over a month

21 36%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 5.0%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 2.5%

Still unwell when reported

39 49%

Died

12 15%

Euthanised

8 10%

Not known

15 19%

Problems reported at the same time

30 38%

29 36%

23 29%

22 28%

20 25%

20 25%

14 18%

14 18%

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 loss in dogs?: 80 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).

Weight loss with similar medicines

Weight loss after Prednisone 555 reports · 6.2% of its reports
Weight loss after Dexamethasone 166 reports · 6.1% of its reports
Weight loss after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 58 reports · 2.8% of its reports

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