Weakness after Prednisone in dogs

418 reports to the FDA describe weakness in dogs given Prednisone. That is 4.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

418Reports

79%Marked serious

11%Recovered

35%Died or euthanised

10 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

57 18%

1–2 days

52 16%

3–7 days

40 13%

1–4 weeks

61 19%

Over a month

109 34%

How the animals did

Recovered

42 10%

Recovered with lasting effects

5 1.2%

Still unwell when reported

146 35%

Died

56 13%

Euthanised

89 21%

Not known

80 19%

Problems reported at the same time

177 42%

150 36%

146 35%

113 27%

112 27%

96 23%

95 23%

82 20%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

103

8–11 years

150

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 weakness in dogs?: 418 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 10 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).

Weakness with similar medicines

Weakness after Dexamethasone 203 reports · 7.5% of its reports
Weakness after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 46 reports · 2.2% of its reports
Weakness after Prednisolone 63 reports · 5.2% of its reports

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