Decreased haemoglobin after Prednisone in dogs

The FDA has received 74 reports of decreased haemoglobin in dogs after Prednisone. That is 0.8% 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.

74Reports

86%Marked serious

8.1%Recovered

31%Died or euthanised

23 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

3 5.1%

1–2 days

5 8.5%

3–7 days

9 15%

1–4 weeks

17 29%

Over a month

25 42%

How the animals did

Recovered

6 8.1%

Still unwell when reported

27 36%

Died

9 12%

Euthanised

14 19%

Not known

18 24%

Problems reported at the same time

Decreased red blood cell count

48 65%

Loss of appetite

42 57%

Liver problems

40 54%

Blood problems

38 51%

Decreased haematocrit

31 42%

Neutrophilia

30 41%

Lethargy

29 39%

Leucocytosis

24 32%

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 haemoglobin in dogs?: 74 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 23 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 haemoglobin with similar medicines

Decreased haemoglobin after Dexamethasone 34 reports · 1.2% of its reports

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