Monocytosis after Prednisone in dogs

The FDA has received 153 reports of monocytosis in dogs after Prednisone. That is 1.7% 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.

153Reports

84%Marked serious

7.2%Recovered

35%Died or euthanised

16 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

8 6.5%

1–2 days

17 14%

3–7 days

24 19%

1–4 weeks

36 29%

Over a month

39 31%

How the animals did

Recovered

9 5.9%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 1.3%

Still unwell when reported

66 43%

Died

17 11%

Euthanised

37 24%

Not known

22 14%

Problems reported at the same time

99 65%

96 63%

91 59%

79 52%

72 47%

69 45%

54 35%

47 31%

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 monocytosis in dogs?: 153 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).

Monocytosis with similar medicines

Monocytosis after Dexamethasone 94 reports · 3.5% of its reports
Monocytosis after Prednisolone 44 reports · 3.6% of its reports

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