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Prednisone is a corticosteroid drug, with its metabolized form being available as prednisolone. The former itself does not have any significant biological effects until it is converted to prednisolone by the liver. So, when prednisolone is administered directly, it can start working without having to be converted.
Both prednisone and prednisolone are used to treat a number of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, including arthritis, in dogs. They may also be used to treat certain kinds of cancer (e.g. lymphoma [7]), bronchial and lung-related ailments, skin conditions like allergies and itching, spinal cord and brain diseases, intestinal issues as well as blood-related problems [3].
Quick Information |
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 Prednisone for Dogs |
Generic Name: Prednisone, Prednisolone, Prednisolone acetate
Brand Name: Prednis-Tab, Delta-Cortef, Solu-Delta-Cortef, Sterisol, Meticorten [3] Type: Corticosteroid [6] Who can take it: Dogs, cats [6] FDA Approved: Yes [1] Availability: Through prescription [6] Available forms: Oral liquid (syrup), Tablets, Ophthalmic suspension (eye drops), Injections [6] Cost: $0.31 per 1 mg tablet |
Prednisone, being a corticosteroid, inhibits the inflammatory response of the body to certain agents. The corticosteroid produced naturally within the adrenal gland is called cortisol; Prednisone, in its metabolized prednisolone form, is four times stronger as an anti-inflammation agent than the cortisol produced by the body [2], thus being more effective in fighting off inflammatory diseases.
The dosage varies widely depending on the condition it is used to treat. Follow the vet’s prescription to the letter. Dosing is usually based on the age and weight of the dog.
The duration of treatment is dependant on the condition. Make sure to complete the course as prescribed instead of stopping the medication abruptly as soon as there are visible signs of improvement.
Some of the serious side effects that require immediate medical attention are [5, 2]:
Common side effects include:
Apart from the above, a study showed that usage of prednisone on dogs that have just had pancreatectomy and pancreatic islet autotransplantation can increase their blood sugar levels. In clinically healthy dogs, however, another study showed no alteration in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
Long-term administration may lead to loss of hair coat, liver damage, weakened muscles, stomach ulcers, and changes in behavior in that they can become lethargic or aggressive. Since prednisolone suppresses the immune system, dogs may be more susceptible to infections [3].
As the adrenal glands need to adjust slowly to getting back to their normal function of producing corticosteroids, it is best to slowly wean the dog off the medication. There may be various adverse health effects of stopping prednisone suddenly. One of the most dangerous of these effects is the dog going into shock out of a condition known as Addisonian crises because of the lack of sufficient cortisol in the body.
If the side-effects persist even after they have been addressed by the vet, it is possible that your dog may have overdosed on prednisolone. If you suspect an overdose, immediately contact your vet or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Helpline (1-888-426-4435).
Make sure to tell the vet about all the medications that your dog is having. Prednisolone is usually not taken in conjunction with NSAIDs like Deramaxx, Rimadyl, Metacam, and Novocox. Other medications which prednisolone may react with are digoxin, diuretics, insulin, phenobarbital, ketoconazole, and mitotane. Extreme caution must be practiced when treating diabetic or pregnant dogs with prednisolone [6].
