Side Effects of Corticosteroids in Dogs

Prednisone is a corticosteroid drug used to treat many conditions in dogs. It is mainly intended to control and supress inflammation and decrease the body’s response against itself as it occurs in autoimmune disorders. Prednisone, therefore is commonly prescribed to treat allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, acute uveitis, some forms of cancer, shock, interverterbral disc disease, Addison’s disease and several autoimmune disorders such as lupus, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia.

One main problem when prescribing corticosteroids as Prednisone, is the fact that there are no black and white dosages to follow. Veterinarians must prescribe dosages on a case by case basis, and therefore, dosages vary with each condition and each animal. According to Pet Education, this means that two dogs weighing exactly the same and suffering from the same health condition may require very different dosages in order to control the condition and prevent the occurrence of side effects. If your dog was therefore prescribed Prednisone, it is very important to monitor for potential side effects and communicate any concerns to your vet immediately.

Side Effects of Prednisone in Dogs

Side effects due to the administration of Prednisone may develop immediately or may take some time to appear. In some cases, side effects may develop even long after the Prednisone drug has been discontinued. Following is a list of some of the most common and less common side effects deriving from the use of Prednisone in dogs.

Polydipsia and Polyuria

Polydipsia is the medical term for increased drinking and polyuria is the medical term of increased urination. Both these side effects are quite common in dogs when taking the medicine Prednisone. Corticosteroids stimulate the activity of the glomeruli, which are the filtration units of the kidneys, causing an increase in the urine output which consequently, makes the dog thirsty so to replace the lost fluids.

Behavioral Changes

Some dogs may exhibit behavioral changes. Some dogs may appear to be less alert and more lethargic, whereas others may become restless and exhibit panting. An increase in appetite can also be witnessed in dogs receiving Prednisone.

Immune Suppression

As previously mentioned, corticosteroids inhibit the immune system and this can have a two-fold effect, on one side suppressing the immune system helps when the immune system attacks the body, but on the other side suppressing the immune system may translate into higher chances of the development of viral, bacterial, or fungal diseases. For this reason, often antibiotics are prescribed simultaneously to corticosteroids.

Abortion

The use of Prednisone in pregnant dams is discouraged due to the risk of abortion. Indeed, corticosteroids are capable of inducing labor and have been used in the past to terminate pregnancy in dogs, explains veterinarian Barbara Forney in an article for Wedgewood Pharmacy.

Other Side Effects

Dogs may also develop several other side effects. Diarrhea, vomiting, stomach or intestinal ulcers and pancreatitis are symptoms that may affect the gastro-intestinal tract. Long term use may also cause some dogs to develop loss of hair coat, weakening of muscles and liver impairment, adds veterinarian Dawn Ruben in an article for Petplace.com. In some cases, dogs may also develop Cushing’s disease or symptoms similar to those in Cushing’s disease, diabetes, weakening of bones due to changes in calcium utilization and shutdown of the adrenal glands.

How to Prevent or Minimize the Risks of Side Effects of Prednisone in Dogs

Side effects derived from the use of Prednisone in dogs are generally mostly associated with long term usage and high dosages. Short-term use indeed, is unlikely to cause adverse side effects, further explains veterinarian Barbara Forney. It is therefore important to follow dosing instructions carefully and never increase them if they are not working without consulting with the veterinarian. Alternate day therapies (every other day) using short action preparations are a preferred method of administration.

Another important consideration to keep in mind is that Prednisone should never be stopped abruptly. Dogs who have been on Prednisone for some time, need to be tapered off the medication gradually. And of course, notifying the vet promptly about side effects is key to ensuring your dog is kept on the ideal dosage so to minimize the risks of complications.


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