Weight loss after Prednisone in dogs

The FDA has received 555 reports of weight loss in dogs after Prednisone. That is 6.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.7% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

555Reports

73%Marked serious

7.9%Recovered

26%Died or euthanised

23 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

47 12%

1–2 days

40 10%

3–7 days

46 12%

1–4 weeks

90 23%

Over a month

175 44%

How the animals did

Recovered

36 6.5%

Recovered with lasting effects

8 1.4%

Still unwell when reported

220 40%

Died

38 6.8%

Euthanised

105 19%

Not known

148 27%

Problems reported at the same time

285 51%

210 38%

169 30%

155 28%

145 26%

134 24%

111 20%

109 20%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

191

8–11 years

180

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 weight loss in dogs?: 555 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 23 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).

Weight loss with similar medicines

Weight loss after Dexamethasone 166 reports · 6.1% of its reports
Weight loss after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 58 reports · 2.8% of its reports
Weight loss after Prednisolone 80 reports · 6.6% of its reports

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