What is Prednisone?
Prednisone is a type of corticosteroid drug (often simply referred to as a steroid) that can be prescribed to help treat or manage a variety of conditions in dogs, cats, and humans.
Steroids are produced naturally in a healthy dog’s body. The adrenal glands produce corticosteroids that help the animal’s body perform several functions, including reducing inflammation and facilitating carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.
Prednisone is a medication that has been made to mimic these steroids that are typically produced naturally by a healthy animal.
What is Prednisone For?
Veterinarians may prescribe steroids to treat inflammatory or allergic conditions in dogs. In high doses, prednisone can also be used to suppress the immune system to help manage immune-mediated conditions. Some conditions that may require the support of corticosteroids include:
Depending on the pet’s age, size, and condition, prednisone may be prescribed at varying strength levels and durations.
For example, a dog may need to receive just one or two powerful doses of corticosteroid during and/or after an episode of acute anaphylactic shock, whereas another dog with cancer may be prescribed a low-dose, several-month course of the medication.
If you are ever confused about why prednisone is being recommended for your dog, your Thrive veterinarian will happily dive into the science behind its benefits around your pet’s specific condition.
Side Effects of Steroids in Dogs
Usually, steroids that are medically administered, such as prednisone, are man-made to achieve faster and more targeted results. While this is very helpful in providing more rapid relief for our dogs, it also means that the steroids can be very potent and monitoring side effects is critical.
Depending on the dose and duration of their treatment, dogs may experience short-term or long-term side effects of prednisone. Veterinarians will advocate administering a minimum effective steroid dose to reduce these risks to your dog.
As with any medication, veterinarians will only prescribe prednisone for dogs when they believe that the benefits outweigh the potential risks.
Short-Term Side Effects of Prednisone in Dogs
Some short-term side effects of steroids, like prednisone, may include:
Increased hunger, thirst, and urination
Panting
Lethargy
Vomiting
Skin infections
If a dog displays these side effects while taking prednisone, make note of the severity and duration of the effects, then contact your veterinarian. Your vet may change the dose or frequency of the prescribed steroid, which usually lessens or eliminates these short-term side effects.
Long-Term Side Effects of Prednisone on Dogs
When the prednisone is given for three months or more, long-term side effects may be seen in some dogs. With long-term use of prednisone, dogs may experience one or more of these long-term side effects:
Urinary tract infections (may affect 3 out of 10 dogs who are being treated with prednisone)
Poor wound healing
Muscle weakness
Hard plaques or spots on their skin (called calcinosis cutis)
Obesity (due to increased hunger)
Demodectic mange and fungal infections
Insulin resistant or diabetes mellitus in a dog that was already exposed
Prednisone and Cushing’s Disease in Dogs
In rare cases, the long-term use of prednisone can cause Iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome (ICS) in dogs. Cushing’s disease occurs when a dog, cat, or human’s body has too much of the hormone cortisol over time. Some animals develop this condition naturally, but it has also been linked to prolonged, excessive use of corticosteroids like prednisone.
Some symptoms of Cushing’s disease include increased appetite, increased water consumption and urination, weight gain, pot-belly appearance, symmetrical hair loss, development of thinning and/or pigmented skin, and recurrent urinary, skin, and ear infections.
If your dog has been taking prednisone for three or more months, frequent check-ups with your veterinarian are strongly recommended to help monitor your pet’s condition and minimize potential long-term side effects of the medication.
How to Manage Side Effects of Prednisone
When your dog is prescribed steroids, it is very important that you follow all directions provided by the veterinarian (this is true for all other prescribed medications too!). In many cases, corticosteroids are prescribed daily only during the initial phase of the treatment, and then the dose and frequency are steadily reduced.
If long-term prednisone use is deemed necessary for the health and well-being of your dog, blood and urine tests will be recommended every 6 months to monitor for potential side effects. If you observe any side effects of steroid use in your dog, do not abruptly stop administering this medication without consulting your veterinarian.
Prednisone is prescribed in cases where it would improve the animal’s quality of life and health. Even though this steroid can cause side effects in some dogs, the benefits it offers are substantial. If you have concerns about prednisone and your dog, discuss these worries with your veterinarian. Our veterinary teams at Thrive Pet Healthcare are not just here for the animals, we’re here for you too! We want to ensure you understand and trust our recommendations as partners in your pet’s long-term health and well-being.
