Blood problems after Prednisone in dogs

The FDA has received 671 reports of blood problems in dogs after Prednisone. That is 7.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.8% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

671Reports

86%Marked serious

6.6%Recovered

40%Died or euthanised

17 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

65 12%

1–2 days

52 9.8%

3–7 days

78 15%

1–4 weeks

138 26%

Over a month

199 37%

How the animals did

Recovered

36 5.4%

Recovered with lasting effects

8 1.2%

Still unwell when reported

270 40%

Died

73 11%

Euthanised

196 29%

Not known

88 13%

Problems reported at the same time

357 53%

322 48%

290 43%

269 40%

210 31%

185 28%

148 22%

147 22%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

100

4–7 years

219

8–11 years

245

12+ years

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 blood problems in dogs?: 671 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 17 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).

Blood problems with similar medicines

Blood problems after Dexamethasone 344 reports · 13% of its reports
Blood problems after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 89 reports · 4.3% of its reports
Blood problems after Prednisolone 130 reports · 11% of its reports

All reported side effects of Prednisone in dogs · Medicines most reported with blood problems