Collapse after Prednisone in dogs

218 reports to the FDA describe collapse in dogs given Prednisone. That is 2.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.9% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

218Reports

94%Marked serious

15%Recovered

40%Died or euthanised

5 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

48 28%

1–2 days

25 15%

3–7 days

21 12%

1–4 weeks

29 17%

Over a month

46 27%

How the animals did

Recovered

29 13%

Recovered with lasting effects

4 1.8%

Still unwell when reported

76 35%

Died

55 25%

Euthanised

32 15%

Not known

22 10%

Problems reported at the same time

86 39%

81 37%

69 32%

67 31%

63 29%

58 27%

44 20%

42 19%

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 collapse in dogs?: 218 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 5 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).

Collapse with similar medicines

Collapse after Dexamethasone 232 reports · 8.5% of its reports
Collapse after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 28 reports · 1.3% of its reports
Collapse after Prednisolone 36 reports · 3.0% of its reports

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