Prednisolone
Also known as: Pred Forte, Pred Mild, Econopred, Econopred Plus, Mydrapred, PLT, Prednicare, Prednidale, Pred-forte
> **Crucial Step**: If you are using the **acetate suspension** (e.g., Pred Forte), you MUST shake the bottle vigorously before every single use. The medication settles at the bottom, and failing to shake it means you are only applying water to the eye. * **Administration**: Wash your hands before use. Do not let the dropper tip touch your pet's eye, eyelids, or any other surface to prevent contamination. * **Spacing**: If you are applying multiple types of eye drops, wait at least 5 to 10 minutes between each medication. * **Watch for Ulcers**: Steroids delay healing. If your pet's eye becomes more red, cloudy, or if they start squinting or rubbing the eye, **stop the medication and contact your veterinarian immediately**. This could indicate a corneal scratch or ulcer. * **Systemic Signs**: Even eye drops can be absorbed into the body. Monitor your pet for increased thirst, increased urination, or increased appetite, and report these to your vet.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Severe anterior uveitis
- Moderate to mild uveitis / Post-operative anterior segment surgery
- Feline IMHA Induction
- Severe anterior uveitis
- Moderate to mild uveitis / Post-operative anterior segment surgery
- Severe anterior uveitis
- Moderate to mild uveitis / Post-operative anterior segment surgery
- IMHA / IMTP Induction
- Steroid-responsive meningitis Induction
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Systemic absorption leading to iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism (PU/PD/PP, panting, alopecia)
- Insulin resistance and destabilization of diabetes mellitus
- Delayed corneal healing
- Potentiation or exacerbation of ocular infections (bacterial, viral, fungal)
- Corneal degeneration or calcification (with long-term topical use)
- Hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA) suppression
- Adrenal atrophy
- Proteinuria and glomerular changes (dogs)
- Weight loss and muscle atrophy (catabolic effects)
- Iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's syndrome)
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Gastrointestinal ulceration
Cautions & contraindications
- Corneal ulcers (absolute contraindication for topical use)
- Ocular viral infections (e.g., Feline Herpesvirus-1)
- Ocular fungal infections
- Use with extreme caution in patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or systemic infectious diseases
- Pregnant animals
- Renal disease (systemic use)
- Diabetes mellitus (systemic use)
- Ulcerative keratitis (topical ophthalmic use)
- Systemic fungal infections
- Concurrent NSAID administration
- Corneal ulcers
- > **Important Warning**: Subconjunctival and topical steroids can be absorbed systemically. Use with extreme caution in patients with endocrinopathies (e.g., diabetes mellitus) or infectious diseases. Even frequent topical steroid application in small animal patients under 20 kg can cause difficulties with diabetes mellitus regulation. Once the peak inflammatory response has been suppressed, consider transitioning to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for ongoing maintenance treatment to minimize systemic steroid exposure.
Drug interactions
- Topical NSAIDs (e.g., flurbiprofen, diclofenac): Concurrent use may increase the risk of delayed corneal healing or corneal melting, though sometimes used together cautiously for severe inflammation.
- Insulin: Systemically absorbed prednisolone antagonizes insulin, increasing blood glucose and complicating diabetes regulation.
- Systemic NSAIDs: Increased risk of gastrointestinal ulceration if significant systemic absorption of prednisolone occurs.
- NSAIDs: Increased risk of gastrointestinal ulceration
- Acetazolamide: Increased risk of hypokalaemia
- Amphotericin B: Increased risk of hypokalaemia
- Potassium-depleting diuretics (e.g., furosemide, thiazides): Increased risk of hypokalaemia
- Phenytoin: Enhanced metabolism of corticosteroids
- Phenobarbital: Enhanced metabolism of corticosteroids
- Itraconazole: Decreased metabolism of corticosteroids
- Ciclosporin: Synergistic immunosuppression; may alter pharmacokinetics
Frequently asked questions
What is Prednisolone used for in pets?
> **Crucial Step**: If you are using the **acetate suspension** (e.g., Pred Forte), you MUST shake the bottle vigorously before every single use. The medication settles at the bottom, and failing to shake it means you are only applying water to the eye. * **Administration**: Wash your hands before use. Do not let the dropper tip touch your pet's eye, eyelids, or any other surface to prevent contamination. * **Spacing**: If you are applying multiple types of eye drops, wait at least 5 to 10 minutes between each medication. * **Watch for Ulcers**: Steroids delay healing. If your pet's eye becomes more red, cloudy, or if they start squinting or rubbing the eye, **stop the medication and contact your veterinarian immediately**. This could indicate a corneal scratch or ulcer. * **Systemic Signs**: Even eye drops can be absorbed into the body. Monitor your pet for increased thirst, increased urination, or increased appetite, and report these to your vet.
Is Prednisolone safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
Worried about your pet?
Peqaboo’s AI helps you track symptoms, understand lab reports, and know when to see a vet.
Get the Peqaboo app