Ear discharge after Prednisone in dogs

The FDA has received 49 reports of ear discharge in dogs after Prednisone. That is 0.5% 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.

49Reports

88%Marked serious

12%Recovered

12%Died or euthanised

14 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

6 16%

1–2 days

8 22%

3–7 days

1 2.7%

1–4 weeks

10 27%

Over a month

12 32%

How the animals did

Recovered

3 6.1%

Recovered with lasting effects

3 6.1%

Still unwell when reported

12 24%

Died

3 6.1%

Euthanised

3 6.1%

Not known

25 51%

Problems reported at the same time

17 35%

15 31%

14 29%

14 29%

14 29%

12 24%

12 24%

12 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 ear discharge in dogs?: 49 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 14 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).

Ear discharge with similar medicines

Ear discharge after Dexamethasone 21 reports · 0.8% of its reports
Ear discharge after Miconazole + Polymyxin B + Prednisolone 44 reports · 4.0% of its reports

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