Nystagmus after Prednisone in dogs

68 reports to the FDA describe nystagmus in dogs given Prednisone. That is 0.8% 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.

68Reports

93%Marked serious

18%Recovered

22%Died or euthanised

5 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

15 32%

1–2 days

5 11%

3–7 days

5 11%

1–4 weeks

10 21%

Over a month

12 26%

How the animals did

Recovered

10 15%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 2.9%

Still unwell when reported

30 44%

Died

7 10%

Euthanised

8 12%

Not known

11 16%

Problems reported at the same time

31 46%

26 38%

25 37%

21 31%

19 28%

Head tilt - ear disorder

19 28%

Head tilt - neurological disorder

18 26%

Liver problems

17 25%

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 nystagmus in dogs?: 68 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 5 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).

Nystagmus with similar medicines

Nystagmus after Dexamethasone 35 reports · 1.3% of its reports

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