Behaviour change after Prednisone in dogs

The FDA has received 417 reports of behaviour change in dogs after Prednisone. That is 4.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.5% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

417Reports
65%Marked serious
23%Recovered
20%Died or euthanised
16 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
56 19%
1–2 days
39 13%
3–7 days
37 12%
1–4 weeks
65 22%
Over a month
103 34%

How the animals did

Recovered
84 20%
Recovered with lasting effects
10 2.4%
Still unwell when reported
114 27%
Died
32 7.7%
Euthanised
52 12%
Not known
125 30%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
5
1–3 years
98
4–7 years
125
8–11 years
123
12+ years
63

About this medicine

Prednisone reduces inflammation and immune activity.

Steroids commonly cause increased thirst, urination and appetite, especially at higher doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Prednisone cause behaviour change in dogs?
417 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 16 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).

Behaviour change with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Prednisone in dogs · Medicines most reported with behaviour change