Decreased haematocrit after Prednisone in dogs

The FDA has received 90 reports of decreased haematocrit in dogs after Prednisone. That is 1.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

90Reports

83%Marked serious

5.6%Recovered

36%Died or euthanised

22 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

12 15%

1–2 days

5 6.4%

3–7 days

10 13%

1–4 weeks

20 26%

Over a month

31 40%

How the animals did

Recovered

5 5.6%

Still unwell when reported

36 40%

Died

9 10%

Euthanised

23 26%

Not known

17 19%

Problems reported at the same time

49 54%

48 53%

40 44%

38 42%

Decreased red blood cell count

34 38%

Death

31 34%

Decreased haemoglobin

31 34%

Neutrophilia

26 29%

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 decreased haematocrit in dogs?: 90 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 22 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).

Decreased haematocrit with similar medicines

Decreased haematocrit after Dexamethasone 39 reports · 1.4% of its reports

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