In this article on our site we will talk about a medicine widely used for different conditions, such as those that cause inflammation or involve the immune system. This is prednisolone or prednisone for dogs, a corticosteroid that we should always use according to veterinary prescription. Below we will explain what this medicine is for and, above all, what side effects it can cause in our dog, so it must be administered with caution, at low doses and with a gradual withdrawal.
If you want to know what is prednisolone for dogs and how it is used, read on to find out all about this drug.
What is prednisone for dogs for?
Prednisone is a medication that is often used to reduce inflammatory processes and in diseases that affect the immune system. This drug has an immunosuppressive effect, which means that it is capable of stopping all those processes in which the immune system reacts against itself An example is hemolytic anemia immune-mediated, in which the destruction of red blood cells occurs. Prednisone, which is the prodrug of the active substance prednisolone after being converted in the liver, by suppressing the activity of this system, would decrease the self-destruction capacity of blood cells. Therefore, the drug would control this symptom, but would not cure the disease that is causing it, which must be diagnosed and treated by the veterinarian.
This immunosuppressive effect means that its use is not recommended when dealing with infections such as viral or fungal infections, since, if the defenses decrease, the dog will have more difficulty fighting the disease.
Uses of prednisolone in dogs
Thanks to the action of prednisone in the body that we have explained in the previous section, it is the treatment of choice in different processes, among which the following stand out:
- Prednisone for dogs with tumors, as part of chemotherapy treatments, generally combined with other drugs.
- Prednisone for dogs with allergies, because in an allergic reaction there is an exaggerated activation of the immune system, which leads it to react against non-pathogenic elements such as dust or pollen. Therefore, it functions as an immunosuppressant, as in immune-mediated hemolytic anemia.
- Prednisone for dogs with Addison's syndrome, a disease in which there is a deficiency in the production of glucocorticoids that can be supplied with this drug.
Recommended Dose of Prednisone for Dogs
Prednisone or prednisolone for dogs, as we have said, should only be prescribed by the veterinarian. It is a drug that can produce considerable side effects, hence the importance of having this professional take control of the administration, ideally using the minimum effective dosein each case. This will range between 0, 5-4 mg per kg of weight
The chosen dose must be adjusted and, furthermore, if the treatment lasts about seven days, it must be withdrawn gradually, lowering the dose or giving it on alternate days. Otherwise, it could produce precisely Addison's syndrome.
Side Effects of Prednisone in Dogs
If the treatment with prednisone is limited to 2-3 days, it is normal that, in addition to the improvement of the symptoms, we do not notice any adverse effects in our dog. On the other hand, in the case of prolonged treatments we will identify signs such as the following:
- Increased food and water intake.
- Increased urine output.
- Swelling.
- Delayed wound healing.
These symptoms are mild and disappear when treatment is stopped More serious effects are those that can cause Addison's syndrome, as we have said. Prednisone suppresses the action of the adrenal glands, which produce glucocorticoids. If we stop treatment abruptly, we run the risk that these glucocorticoids will not be produced again, which causes Addison's.
Considerations on the use of prednisone for dogs
Finally, we must take into account the following recommendations:
- Prednisone or prednisolone cannot be used in pregnant bitches because it causes malformations and abortions.
- In lactating bitches, it will be at the discretion of the veterinarian.
- There are several conditions that discourage the use of prednisone, such as diabetes, heart conditions or gastrointestinal ulcers. If this is the case, we must inform the veterinarian of any disease our dog is suffering from or if he is taking any medication.
- It is not advisable to use prednisone and vaccinate the dog at the same time.
