Unable to walk after Prednisone in dogs

The FDA has received 70 reports of unable to walk in dogs after Prednisone. That is 0.8% 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.

70Reports

91%Marked serious

4.3%Recovered

39%Died or euthanised

7 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

18 31%

1–2 days

7 12%

3–7 days

5 8.5%

1–4 weeks

13 22%

Over a month

16 27%

How the animals did

Recovered

3 4.3%

Still unwell when reported

32 46%

Died

5 7.1%

Euthanised

22 31%

Not known

8 11%

Problems reported at the same time

29 41%

28 40%

25 36%

22 31%

14 20%

14 20%

14 20%

14 20%

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 unable to walk in dogs?: 70 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 7 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).

Unable to walk with similar medicines

Unable to walk after Dexamethasone 22 reports · 0.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Prednisone in dogs · Medicines most reported with unable to walk