Neutropenia after Prednisone in dogs

The FDA has received 91 reports of neutropenia in dogs after Prednisone. That is 1.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

91Reports

71%Marked serious

5.5%Recovered

31%Died or euthanised

25 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 6.9%

1–2 days

7 9.7%

3–7 days

9 13%

1–4 weeks

18 25%

Over a month

33 46%

How the animals did

Recovered

5 5.5%

Still unwell when reported

46 51%

Died

9 9.9%

Euthanised

19 21%

Not known

12 13%

Problems reported at the same time

53 58%

45 49%

41 45%

38 42%

36 40%

34 37%

30 33%

27 30%

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 neutropenia in dogs?: 91 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 25 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).

Neutropenia with similar medicines

Neutropenia after Dexamethasone 46 reports · 1.7% of its reports
Neutropenia after Prednisolone 20 reports · 1.7% of its reports

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