What You Should Know About Prednisone for Dogs?

If a pet dog gets infected by any disease, it might be a very awful moment for any dog owner. You might get panic when your dog gets attacked by any disease. Well, many vets have been prescribed to use prednisone and prednisolone for your dog, but you may be wondering about the possible outcomes or side effects. Being a pet owner, it’s necessary to know what is required for your pet and what is not!

Prednisone is used for disease like Inflammation, Cancer, Addison’s disease, or Nervous system disorders for dogs and cats.

• What is Prednisone or Prednisolone?
  • Prednisone in Dog
  • Types of Dogs That Should Not Take Prednisone
• Side Effects
  • Amount of Prednisolone Dosage Given to Your Dogs
  • Consequences of Using Prednisone For The Long Term
• Precautions to Reduce the Effects of Prednisolone.
• Conclusion

What is Prednisone or Prednisolone?

Prednisone or prednisolone is a type of drug known as a corticosteroid. It is used for managing inflammation in diseases or conditions like canine lymphoma, asthma, allergies, skin irritations, lupus, arthritis, and more. Prednisone is an FDA-approved medication for dogs but sometimes can cause side effects that may be dangerous. There is a synthetic steroid that is present in prednisone and is not suitable for long-term use. That is why it is necessary to know the use of prednisone on your dog.

Prednisone in Dog

Prednisone is used for various purposes in both dogs and cats. In case your pet suffers from emergencies like anaphylactic reactions, spinal cord trauma, and many forms of shock, it comes out as an effective drug. It is used to treat immune-mediated diseases such as:

• Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia or thrombocytopenia,
• CNS disorders,
• Neoplasia,
• Dermatologic diseases,
• Allergic reactions such as asthma,
• Hives and itching,
• Inflammatory orthopedic diseases,
• An endocrine disruption, including Addison’s Disease,
• Inflammatory bowel diseases.

Types of Dogs That Should Not Take Prednisone

Before giving any medications, you should consult with your veterinarian for the best advice. They say dogs suffering from the following conditions must not take prednisone:

• Pregnant dogs
• Treating dogs
• Dogs going through liver or kidney problems
• Dogs under six months of age
• Dogs used for breeding
• Dogs suffering from cancer, heart problems, mites, or diabetes.

Side Effects

The adverse effects of prednisolone depend on the dosage and duration of treatment. If you are using it for the short term, it may not cause any adverse effects, but the heavy dosage can cause adverse effects in animals. The side effects of prednisolone in dogs are as follows:

• Fluid retention,
• Rise in thirst or hunger,
• Liver damage,
• Cardiac arrest,
• Stomach ulcers,
• Hormonal issues,
• Dry flakey and itchy skin,
• Secondary infections,
• Kidney damage,
• Lethargy,
• High blood pressure,
• Diabetes,
• Vomiting,

Amount of Prednisolone Dosage Given to Your Dogs

The estimated dosage of prednisone provided to dogs is 2.5 mg per 10 lbs. The amount of dosage is categorized based on the weight of the dog:

• If a dog’s weight varies, between 5 and 20 lbs needs to provide 1.25 to 5 mg of dosage.
• If a dog’s weight varies, between 20 and 40 lbs should provide 5 to 10 mg of dosage.
• If a dog’s weight varies, between 40 and 80 lbs should provide 10 to 20 mg of dosage.
• If a dog’s weight varies, 80 to 160 lbs should provide 20 to 40 mg of dosage.

Consequences of Using Prednisone For The Long Term

If we continue to provide our dogs with prednisolone for a long time, then it may result in the following:

• Hair loss
• Obesity
• Muscle weakness
• Distended stomach
• Increased risk for demodectic mange
• Increased risk of fungal and bacterial infections
• Urinary tract infections (UTI).

Precautions to Reduce the Effects of Prednisolone.

• Prednisolone can hit the bones of your dog. To lessen the effect, you need to maintain a healthy diet with plenty of calcium throughout prednisone treatment. You can ask your veteran for the amount of calcium required every day to avoid bone loss.
• You can avoid your dog’s weight gain by watching the fat and calorie intake that can help prevent weight gain associated with steroids.
• You can adjust the amount of dosage provided to your dog as it can reduce side effects such as insomnia or night sweats while taking it with meals could prevent stomach upset. Before giving prednisone dosing at your, take the prescription of your doctor. If your dog starts acting weird, your family members need to work calmly in front of your Fido as it’s the drug causing mood swings or irritability.

Conclusion

Prednisolone has a beneficial effect on hepatic infections and disease. It should be provided to your dog under the doctor’s prescription. Steroids present in prednisolone are very effective medications that have saved many lives. Well, every medicine has worse effects if consumed in high dosage and for the long term. Before giving your dog prednisone, make sure to know the pros and cons of it.

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