Cough after Prednisone in dogs

183 reports to the FDA describe cough in dogs given Prednisone. That is 2.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.8% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

183Reports

76%Marked serious

12%Recovered

22%Died or euthanised

19 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

23 16%

1–2 days

12 8.4%

3–7 days

10 7.0%

1–4 weeks

39 27%

Over a month

59 41%

How the animals did

Recovered

19 10%

Recovered with lasting effects

3 1.6%

Still unwell when reported

79 43%

Died

16 8.7%

Euthanised

25 14%

Not known

41 22%

Problems reported at the same time

Abnormal radiograph finding

55 30%

53 29%

50 27%

47 26%

46 25%

41 22%

34 19%

25 14%

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 cough in dogs?: 183 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 19 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).

Cough with similar medicines

Cough after Dexamethasone 74 reports · 2.7% of its reports
Cough after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 66 reports · 3.2% of its reports
Cough after Prednisolone 40 reports · 3.3% of its reports

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