Hypochloraemia after Prednisone in dogs

111 reports to the FDA describe hypochloraemia in dogs given Prednisone. That is 1.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

111Reports

69%Marked serious

11%Recovered

17%Died or euthanised

32 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

12 14%

1–2 days

7 8.0%

3–7 days

10 11%

1–4 weeks

15 17%

Over a month

44 50%

How the animals did

Recovered

12 11%

Still unwell when reported

38 34%

Died

6 5.4%

Euthanised

13 12%

Not known

42 38%

Problems reported at the same time

53 48%

44 40%

42 38%

40 36%

38 34%

35 32%

Didn't work as expected

30 27%

Blood problems

28 25%

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 hypochloraemia in dogs?: 111 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 32 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).

Hypochloraemia with similar medicines

Hypochloraemia after Dexamethasone 47 reports · 1.7% of its reports

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