Complications associated with high-dose prednisolone sodium succinate therapy in dogs with neurological injury

A retrospective study of 105 dogs with neurological injury was conducted to evaluate the type and prevalence of complications encountered when treatment consisted of a high-dose corticosteroid protocol. All dogs were treated with high-dose prednisolone sodium succinate (HDPSS) (30 mg/kg body weight, administered intravenously [IV] q 6 hrs for 36 hrs). Thirty-five (33.3%) cases developed complications including diarrhea (n=11), melena (n=11), vomiting (n=6), hematochezia (n=3), hematemesis (n=1), anorexia (n=1), or a combination (n=2). Most complications resolved without additional treatments after termination of the HDPSS therapy. None of the complications were considered serious, and none prolonged hospitalization.