Death after Prednisone in dogs

1,116 reports to the FDA describe death in dogs given Prednisone. That is 12% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 5.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

1,116Reports

99%Marked serious

0.0%Recovered

99%Died or euthanised

15 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

124 14%

1–2 days

106 12%

3–7 days

114 13%

1–4 weeks

206 24%

Over a month

318 37%

How the animals did

Still unwell when reported

4 0.4%

Died

429 38%

Euthanised

680 61%

Not known

3 0.3%

Problems reported at the same time

481 43%

380 34%

304 27%

293 26%

269 24%

247 22%

194 17%

157 14%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

136

4–7 years

291

8–11 years

406

12+ years

256

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 death in dogs?: 1,116 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 15 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).

Death with similar medicines

Death after Dexamethasone 623 reports · 23% of its reports
Death after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 168 reports · 8.0% of its reports
Death after Prednisolone 199 reports · 16% of its reports
Death after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 27 reports · 4.2% of its reports

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