Lateral recumbency after Prednisone in dogs

80 reports to the FDA describe lateral recumbency in dogs given Prednisone. That is 0.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

80Reports

91%Marked serious

18%Recovered

49%Died or euthanised

15 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

18 30%

1–2 days

5 8.2%

3–7 days

4 6.6%

1–4 weeks

16 26%

Over a month

18 30%

How the animals did

Recovered

14 18%

Still unwell when reported

22 28%

Died

16 20%

Euthanised

23 29%

Not known

5 6.3%

Problems reported at the same time

39 49%

27 34%

25 31%

19 24%

18 23%

17 21%

17 21%

16 20%

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 lateral recumbency in dogs?: 80 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 15 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).

Lateral recumbency with similar medicines

Lateral recumbency after Dexamethasone 108 reports · 4.0% of its reports

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