Disorientation after Prednisone in dogs

121 reports to the FDA describe disorientation in dogs given Prednisone. That is 1.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.0% across reports for all dog medicines.

121Reports

76%Marked serious

21%Recovered

39%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

32 32%

1–2 days

21 21%

3–7 days

7 6.9%

1–4 weeks

21 21%

Over a month

20 20%

How the animals did

Recovered

22 18%

Recovered with lasting effects

3 2.5%

Still unwell when reported

32 26%

Died

20 17%

Euthanised

27 22%

Not known

17 14%

Problems reported at the same time

54 45%

45 37%

36 30%

34 28%

34 28%

32 26%

32 26%

29 24%

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 disorientation in dogs?: 121 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 2 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).

Disorientation with similar medicines

Disorientation after Dexamethasone 52 reports · 1.9% of its reports
Disorientation after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 34 reports · 1.6% of its reports
Disorientation after Prednisolone 22 reports · 1.8% of its reports

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