Otitis after Prednisone in dogs

The FDA has received 28 reports of otitis in dogs after Prednisone. That is 0.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

28Reports

75%Marked serious

3.6%Recovered

21%Died or euthanised

20 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

1 5.0%

1–2 days

2 10%

3–7 days

3 15%

1–4 weeks

8 40%

Over a month

6 30%

How the animals did

Recovered

1 3.6%

Still unwell when reported

12 43%

Died

2 7.1%

Euthanised

4 14%

Not known

9 32%

Problems reported at the same time

Lethargy

9 32%

Loss of appetite

9 32%

Vomiting

8 29%

Skin rash or irritation

7 25%

7 25%

5 18%

5 18%

5 18%

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 otitis in dogs?: 28 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 20 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).

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