Increased percentage reticulocytes after Prednisone in dogs

76 reports to the FDA describe increased percentage reticulocytes in dogs given Prednisone. That is 0.9% 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.

76Reports

80%Marked serious

6.6%Recovered

32%Died or euthanised

19 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

2 3.4%

1–2 days

4 6.9%

3–7 days

9 16%

1–4 weeks

20 34%

Over a month

23 40%

How the animals did

Recovered

5 6.6%

Still unwell when reported

30 39%

Died

12 16%

Euthanised

12 16%

Not known

17 22%

Problems reported at the same time

49 64%

44 58%

43 57%

36 47%

31 41%

28 37%

25 33%

24 32%

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 increased percentage reticulocytes in dogs?: 76 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 19 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).

Increased percentage reticulocytes with similar medicines

Increased percentage reticulocytes after Dexamethasone 40 reports · 1.5% of its reports

All reported side effects of Prednisone in dogs · Medicines most reported with increased percentage reticulocytes