Hypokalaemia after Prednisone in dogs

168 reports to the FDA describe hypokalaemia in dogs given Prednisone. That is 1.9% 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.

168Reports

71%Marked serious

7.7%Recovered

20%Died or euthanised

17 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

20 17%

1–2 days

12 9.9%

3–7 days

12 9.9%

1–4 weeks

32 26%

Over a month

45 37%

How the animals did

Recovered

13 7.7%

Still unwell when reported

42 25%

Died

10 6.0%

Euthanised

24 14%

Not known

79 47%

Problems reported at the same time

High sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio)

76 45%

70 42%

63 38%

60 36%

57 34%

46 27%

40 24%

35 21%

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 hypokalaemia in dogs?: 168 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 17 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).

Hypokalaemia with similar medicines

Hypokalaemia after Dexamethasone 66 reports · 2.4% of its reports
Hypokalaemia after Prednisolone 20 reports · 1.7% of its reports

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