Swollen limb after Prednisone in dogs

The FDA has received 99 reports of swollen limb in dogs after Prednisone. That is 1.1% 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.

99Reports

41%Marked serious

13%Recovered

18%Died or euthanised

9 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

9 11%

1–2 days

11 14%

3–7 days

17 21%

1–4 weeks

22 28%

Over a month

21 26%

How the animals did

Recovered

13 13%

Still unwell when reported

26 26%

Died

8 8.1%

Euthanised

10 10%

Not known

42 42%

Problems reported at the same time

Swelling

65 66%

Injection site reaction

54 55%

43 43%

37 37%

36 36%

30 30%

25 25%

Limb non-weight bearing

24 24%

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 swollen limb in dogs?: 99 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 9 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 swollen limb