Loose stool after Prednisone in dogs

149 reports to the FDA describe loose stool in dogs given Prednisone. That is 1.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.9% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

149Reports

61%Marked serious

23%Recovered

22%Died or euthanised

16 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

27 24%

1–2 days

10 8.9%

3–7 days

10 8.9%

1–4 weeks

21 19%

Over a month

44 39%

How the animals did

Recovered

30 20%

Recovered with lasting effects

5 3.4%

Still unwell when reported

47 32%

Died

8 5.4%

Euthanised

25 17%

Not known

34 23%

Problems reported at the same time

62 42%

59 40%

52 35%

36 24%

35 23%

31 21%

25 17%

24 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 loose stool in dogs?: 149 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 16 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).

Loose stool with similar medicines

Loose stool after Dexamethasone 66 reports · 2.4% of its reports
Loose stool after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 29 reports · 1.4% of its reports
Loose stool after Prednisolone 20 reports · 1.7% of its reports

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