Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.
Prednisolone is dosed at 0.5–2 mg/kg PO q12-24h in rabbits, per Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rabbits). — EDITION NOTE 2026-08-06: this rule's Plumb's reference names the 9th edition, which is not held and was never consulted. The held copy is the 10th ed (2023). The Plumb's line was never confirmed against the held edition, so rely on it only as background; any other source named in this citation is unaffected. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Binds intracellular glucocorticoid receptors, modulating gene transcription. Suppresses inflammatory and immune responses at multiple levels.
Side effects & warnings
PU/PD, polyphagia, weight gain, iatrogenic Cushing's. Immunosuppression risk. GI ulceration (especially with NSAIDs). Do not abruptly discontinue after chronic use. Cats require prednisolone (not prednisone).
Species with Prednisolone dosing data (22 dose rules)
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
Sample dosing (2 of 22 cited rules)
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 20 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed p.1061, PrednisoLONE/Prednisone/PrednisoLONE Sodium Succinate monograph, section DOGS/CATS / Immunosuppressive agent.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed., Part A, Prednisolone, DOSES — Cats: 'Immunosuppression: 1-2 mg/kg p.o. q12-24h', printed p.341Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
· 243. Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.261 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.8 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Reptiles).
· 269. Lawton MP.C. Pain management after surgery. Proc North Am Vet Conf; 1999:782. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.256 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Used in Reptiles). — PRINTED DETAIL MISSING FROM THIS RULE (retrieved 2026-08-19): Same Carpenter Table 4.6 row; independently corroborated by "Reptiles: Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory: 2-5 mg/kg p.o. q24-48h" — BSAVA-B 10th ed, printed p.251 — which prints p.o. only; missing the same infectious-disease contraindication
· 269. Lawton MP.C. Pain management after surgery. Proc North Am Vet Conf; 1999:782. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.256 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Used in Reptiles). — PRINTED DETAIL MISSING FROM THIS RULE (retrieved 2026-08-19): Same Carpenter Table 4.6 row; missing "Because no pharmacokinetic studies have been done to assess glucocorticoids in reptiles, dosages […]" — Mader's 3rd ed, printed p.1163 (Ch.119), whose Table 119.1 labels this very dose "Empirical"
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· BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed., Part A, Prednisolone, DOSES — Cats: 'Immunosuppression: 1-2 mg/kg p.o. q12-24h', printed p.341
· Ewringmann A, Gloeckner B. Leitsymptome bei Meerschweinchen, Chinchilla und Degu, Enke, Stuttgart, Germany; 2012. / Fehr M, Sassenburg L, Zwart P. Krankheiten der Heimtiere, 8th ed., Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover, Germany; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.802 doi:10.1055/b-004-129947 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents).
· Hedley J. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary. Part B: Exotic Pets, 10th ed., British Small Animal Veterinary Association. / 32. Ness RD, Johnson-Delaney C. Sugar gliders. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2012:393-410. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 7.5 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Sugar Gliders).
· Howard J, ed. Current Veterinary Therapy: Food Animal Practice. 2nd ed. WB Saunders; 1985. doi:10.1016/0007-1935(87)90012-1 — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1062
· Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, ed. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, 2018:81-166. - Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.8 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Reptiles), lizard row: 'Prednisolone | 0.5 mg/kg q24h PO, SC, IM x 14 days, then q48h until PCV stable243 | Lizards/autoimmune hemolytic anemia'.
· Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.261 — Carpenter 6th ed, Table 4.8 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Reptiles), Prednisolone block.
· Lawton MP.C. Pain management after surgery. Proc North Am Vet Conf; 1999:782. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.256 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Used in Reptiles).
· Lawton MP.C. Pain management after surgery. Proc North Am Vet Conf; 1999:782. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.256 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Used in Reptiles). — PRINTED DETAIL MISSING FROM THIS RULE (retrieved 2026-08-19): Prednisolone 2-5 mg/kg PO, IM q24-48h269 Most species/antiinflammatory — Carpenter's 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Used in Reptiles); missing "Immunosuppressive, contraindicated in cases of infectious disease" — Mader's 3rd ed, printed p.662, Table 67.4
· Lawton MP.C. Pain management after surgery. Proc North Am Vet Conf; 1999:782. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.256 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Used in Reptiles). — PRINTED DETAIL MISSING FROM THIS RULE (retrieved 2026-08-19): Same Carpenter Table 4.6 row; missing "Impaired wound healing and delayed recovery from infections may be seen." and "Do not use in pregnant animals. Systemic corticosteroids are generally contraindicated in patients […]" — BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th ed Part B, printed p.250
· Lawton MP.C. Pain management after surgery. Proc North Am Vet Conf; 1999:782. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.256 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Used in Reptiles). — SOURCE ROW: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed — "Prednisolone 2-5 mg/kg PO, IM q24-48h(269) — Most species/antiinflammatory". NOTE: the same dose appears at as "2-5 mg/kg PO, IM q12-24h(63) — Most species/analgesia (chronic pain)"; the interval is what separates the two indications.
· Lawton MPC. Pain management after surgery. Proc North Am Vet Conf; 1999:782. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.256 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.6 (Analgesic (Including Antiinflammatory) Agents Used in Reptiles).
· Marsella R. Equine allergy therapy update on the treatment of environmental, insect bite hypersensitivity, and food allergies. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2013;29(3):551-557. PMID: 24267674 — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1062
· Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW, et al. Formulary. In: Quesenberry Q, Orcutt C, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.6 (Analgesic/Antiinflammatory Agents Used in Hedgehogs).
· Muller & Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology, 7th Ed, p.846
· PRIMARY: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed. (2020), Part B - Exotic Pets, Prednisolone monograph, DOSES, printed p.251, verbatim: 'Birds: Pruritus: 1 mg/kg p.o. q12h, reduced to minimum effective dose as quickly as possible.' CORROBORATING (same book, cited entry, continuation page): Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed.: '0.5-1 mg/kg PO q24h - Harpy eagle/inflammatory bowel disease; prednisone'. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.7 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Birds).
· Papich MG. Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, Prednisolone, Prednisolone Acetate, Small Animal Dosage — Dogs, printed p.669 — CEILING: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, Prednisolone monograph, printed p.1088, Anti-inflammatory agent — "Dogs: 0.5 - 1 mg/kg PO once daily; not to exceed 40 mg/dog (NOT mg/kg) in large breed dogs. Dose […]" The 40 mg is a DAILY total.
· Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rabbits). — EDITION NOTE 2026-08-06: this rule's Plumb's reference names the 9th edition, which is not held and was never consulted. The held copy is the 10th ed (2023). The Plumb's line was never confirmed against the held edition, so rely on it only as background; any other source named in this citation is unaffected.
· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed p.1061, PrednisoLONE/Prednisone/PrednisoLONE Sodium Succinate monograph, section DOGS/CATS / Immunosuppressive agent.