Deafness after Prednisone in dogs

57 reports to the FDA describe deafness in dogs given Prednisone. That is 0.6% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all dog medicines.

57Reports

95%Marked serious

39%Recovered

0.0%Died or euthanised

6 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

8 20%

1–2 days

6 15%

3–7 days

7 18%

1–4 weeks

12 30%

Over a month

7 18%

How the animals did

Recovered

6 11%

Recovered with lasting effects

16 28%

Still unwell when reported

16 28%

Not known

19 33%

Problems reported at the same time

Vomiting

12 21%

Loss of appetite

11 19%

Wobbliness (ataxia)

10 18%

Head tilt - ear disorder

9 16%

Behaviour change

8 14%

Lethargy

7 12%

Didn't work as expected

6 11%

Eye disorder (for photophobia see 'neurological')

6 11%

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 deafness in dogs?: 57 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 6 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).

Deafness with similar medicines

Deafness after Dexamethasone 24 reports · 0.9% of its reports
Deafness after Miconazole + Polymyxin B + Prednisolone 283 reports · 26% of its reports
Deafness after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 84 reports · 13% of its reports

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