Lameness after Prednisone in dogs

242 reports to the FDA describe lameness in dogs given Prednisone. That is 2.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

242Reports

65%Marked serious

11%Recovered

20%Died or euthanised

12 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

22 12%

1–2 days

31 17%

3–7 days

23 12%

1–4 weeks

50 27%

Over a month

61 33%

How the animals did

Recovered

23 9.5%

Recovered with lasting effects

3 1.2%

Still unwell when reported

109 45%

Died

16 6.6%

Euthanised

32 13%

Not known

59 24%

Problems reported at the same time

Swelling

83 34%

Loss of appetite

70 29%

Lethargy

67 28%

Injection site reaction

54 22%

Death

48 20%

Pain

43 18%

Liver problems

40 17%

Didn't work as expected

39 16%

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 lameness in dogs?: 242 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 12 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).

Lameness with similar medicines

Lameness after Dexamethasone 75 reports · 2.8% of its reports
Lameness after Prednisolone 22 reports · 1.8% of its reports

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