Kidney problems after Prednisone in dogs

484 reports to the FDA describe kidney problems in dogs given Prednisone. That is 5.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

484Reports

81%Marked serious

6.0%Recovered

39%Died or euthanised

17 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

54 16%

1–2 days

27 7.9%

3–7 days

42 12%

1–4 weeks

88 26%

Over a month

129 38%

How the animals did

Recovered

23 4.8%

Recovered with lasting effects

6 1.2%

Still unwell when reported

179 37%

Died

76 16%

Euthanised

115 24%

Not known

85 18%

Problems reported at the same time

246 51%

226 47%

195 40%

194 40%

175 36%

147 30%

112 23%

109 23%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

129

8–11 years

161

12+ years

105

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 kidney problems in dogs?: 484 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).

Kidney problems with similar medicines

Kidney problems after Dexamethasone 244 reports · 9.0% of its reports
Kidney problems after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 83 reports · 4.0% of its reports
Kidney problems after Prednisolone 70 reports · 5.8% of its reports

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