Cardiac arrest after Prednisone in dogs

The FDA has received 33 reports of cardiac arrest in dogs after Prednisone. That is 0.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

33Reports

100%Marked serious

3.0%Recovered

91%Died or euthanised

16 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

7 25%

1–2 days

2 7.1%

3–7 days

2 7.1%

1–4 weeks

7 25%

Over a month

10 36%

How the animals did

Recovered

1 3.0%

Still unwell when reported

1 3.0%

Died

25 76%

Euthanised

5 15%

Not known

1 3.0%

Problems reported at the same time

30 91%

12 36%

11 33%

11 33%

9 27%

9 27%

Respiratory arrest

8 24%

Breathing problems

8 24%

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 cardiac arrest in dogs?: 33 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).

Cardiac arrest with similar medicines

Cardiac arrest after Dexamethasone 61 reports · 2.2% of its reports

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