Bruising after Prednisone in dogs

The FDA has received 89 reports of bruising in dogs after Prednisone. That is 1.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

89Reports

78%Marked serious

10%Recovered

30%Died or euthanised

8 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

12 17%

1–2 days

10 14%

3–7 days

13 18%

1–4 weeks

23 32%

Over a month

13 18%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 9.0%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.1%

Still unwell when reported

36 40%

Died

12 13%

Euthanised

15 17%

Not known

17 19%

Problems reported at the same time

41 46%

34 38%

30 34%

27 30%

27 30%

23 26%

Injection site reaction

22 25%

Leucocytosis

20 22%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

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 bruising in dogs?: 89 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 8 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).

Bruising with similar medicines

Bruising after Dexamethasone 65 reports · 2.4% of its reports

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