Fever after Prednisone in dogs

The FDA has received 389 reports of fever in dogs after Prednisone. That is 4.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

389Reports

80%Marked serious

14%Recovered

31%Died or euthanised

7 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

70 23%

1–2 days

45 15%

3–7 days

38 12%

1–4 weeks

64 21%

Over a month

88 29%

How the animals did

Recovered

51 13%

Recovered with lasting effects

3 0.8%

Still unwell when reported

164 42%

Died

45 12%

Euthanised

77 20%

Not known

49 13%

Problems reported at the same time

214 55%

213 55%

135 35%

120 31%

119 31%

117 30%

115 30%

88 23%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

132

8–11 years

110

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 fever in dogs?: 389 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 7 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).

Fever with similar medicines

Fever after Dexamethasone 271 reports · 9.9% of its reports
Fever after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 68 reports · 3.2% of its reports
Fever after Prednisolone 54 reports · 4.5% of its reports

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