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Being a pet parent can be overwhelming, especially when your dog gets sick. Visits to the vet become overwhelming as your vet prescribes medicine to treat your dog’s condition. You do your best to stay on top of the lists of medications you must purchase while caring for your pet and monitoring their reactions, carefully keeping in mind all of your vet’s indications.
Prednisone, a medication used for many health conditions, may be on your dog’s list of prescriptions. So, it’s wise to know some basic concepts about this medication.
What is Prednisone?
Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid used as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant. It reduces immune system responses such as allergies, itching, and hives (among other reactions). It’s four times stronger than cortisol, a hormone that a healthy dog produces naturally.
Once prednisone reaches the liver, it’s converted to prednisolone. Vets will prescribe prednisolone to dogs who have poor liver function to skip the conversion.
It’s administered as pills, injections, or topically on your dog’s skin. Like all corticosteroids, it has benefits and side effects. It must be used strictly under veterinary supervision.
Why Would a Dog Need Prednisone?
Prednisone is used for several health conditions. Namely, Addison’s disease, a disorder of the adrenal glands. Since it suppresses responses from the immune system, this medication may also be prescribed to dogs who are about to receive an organ transplant.
Prednisone is a highly effective medication for a number of conditions related to a weakened immune system. Here’s a list of conditions that are treated with prednisone.
- Allergic reactions
- Itching
- Hives
- Skin disease
- Arthritis
- Nervous system disorders
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Asthma
- Lupus
- Hemolytic anemia
Side Effects
Prednisone is safe, but it can produce many side effects, both short—and long-term. Because of this, veterinarians will use this medication with caution, starting with the minimal dose.
Short-Term Side Effects of Prednisone
The short-term side effects of prednisone include the following list of conditions:
- Increase in thirst (therefore, increased urination)
- Increase in hunger (potentially generating obesity)
- Panting
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Lethargy
Long-Term Side Effects of Prednisone
Long-term use of prednisone can cause serious side effects such as liver failure. If your dog is placed on prednisone for over four months, your vet will closely monitor your dog for signs of liver damage or kidney disease.
Since prednisone inhibits the immune system, long-term usage of this drug could result in a weakened immune system. Therefore, dogs treated with prednisone may be vulnerable to bacterial and fungal infections. Also, their wounds may take longer to heal.
In puppies, prednisone can inhibit growth. It can also produce abortions, so its use on pregnant dogs is not advised.
Here is a list of side effects of prolonged use of prednisone:
See also
Treatment of Side Effects
It’s important to ask diligently about the treatment for side effects of prednisone when you talk with your vet. Most side effects go away with the removal of the drug. Though, bear in mind that prednisone should be removed gradually.
Your trusted vet should be able to give you the best treatment options for side effects and advise you on how to discontinue its usage by gradually lowering the dose.
Safety Guidelines
Prednisone is a powerful steroid that should be used strictly under supervision. Here is a useful safety guideline for you to keep in mind should your dog be prescribed prednisone:
- Should not be given to dogs with allergies to the drug.
- Extreme caution should be taken with dogs with heart disease, diabetes, cataracts, osteoporosis, kidney disease, increased blood pressure, and liver failure.
- Not advised for puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs.
- May mask signs of infection, such as high temperature.
- Could interact with lab work (affecting results for allergy tests, glucose in the urine, cholesterol, potassium, and thyroid levels).
- Could interact with other medications (make sure you give full disclosure to your vet about everything your dog is taking, including vitamins and supplements).
- Do not stop the use of prednisone abruptly.
- During long-term use, vaccines may be less effective.
Know What Your Dog Is Taking
In the roller-coaster ride of pet parenthood, knowing the basics of what your dog is taking will save you many sleepless nights. Medications such as prednisone are safe, helpful, and effective when administered responsibly. Your trusted vet will provide you with all the guidelines for using prednisone, should your dog need it.
Observe your dog, including its daily habits, and you’ll have a fair insight into its well-being and how they react to any medication you give them. But don’t rely too much on this. Always clear your doubts with your trusted vet or veterinary assistants.
