Prednisone for dogs can be lifesaving…but also problematic. Integrative veterinarian, Dr. Prednisone for dogs FAQs are answered by Julie Buzby to help you learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of this widely prescribed medication. Learn the pluses and perils of prednisone for your pup.
Prednisone is not a bad word, but occasionally, and understandably, my clients do, they treat it that way. Prednisone takes a toll on the body. My official stance on prednisone as an integrative veterinarian is that I detest it but that it has saved lives, including possibly mine.
Prednisone was a difficult pill for me to swallow (no pun intended). But my respiratory condition was getting worse, and I needed a strong medication like prednisone to stop the inflammation. My physician reportedly stated, “I don’t see any way for you to heal other than by taking prednisone.” ”.
I used the medication. I experienced side effects, but I got better. Therefore, it would be more accurate to describe my relationship with this drug as love-hate.
You might be hesitant to administer this medication to your own canine companion as well, I have a feeling. It’s crucial to adopt a fair perspective and consider the available evidence. So, I wanted to address these 10 frequently asked questions (FAQs) about prednisone for dogs.
Bronchitis is a condition that most people have heard of and likely experienced at some point. The larger airways that allow air to move throughout the lungs are called bronchi. The trachea (windpipe) divides into two mainstem bronchi, one for each lung, and transports air from the throat into the chest. Each mainstem bronchus divides into smaller bronchi, which in turn divide into bronchioles, which in turn divide into alveoli, tiny chambers where oxygen from the air we breathe is absorbed into our bodies.
Prednisone and other corticosteroids reduce secretions and reduce inflammation like no other drug can. Usually a brief course is used to control symptoms at first, followed by a longer maintenance course at a lower dose. This aids in reducing mucus in the airways and breaking the vicious cycle between irritation and coughing. The issue is that prolonged use of oral steroids may cause side effects. Furthermore, it’s critical to rule out infectious causes of coughing that might be exacerbated by steroid use because they are suppressive to the inflammatory process.
As with short-term infectious diseases like kennel cough, bronchitis can be either transient or chronic, which basically means that it has persisted for a very long time. The cough must occur daily for at least a few months in order to qualify as chronic. Bronchitis is not the only cause of persistent cough; there are a variety of other factors as well. Finding out if the root cause is one that can be corrected is crucial. The character of the cough (wet, dry, honking, productive, etc. ) is not particularly helpful in determining its cause.
When irritants (such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, biochemical byproducts of infection, etc.) cause damage to the bronchi they react with an inherently inflammatory healing process. When the injury is still present, the inflammatory and healing processes continue, which causes the airways to produce too much mucus. The smaller bronchi are blocked by the mucus, which causes coughing, which in turn causes irritation, which then causes inflammation, which causes more mucus. A vicious cycle results.
In a perfect world, bronchoscopy can be performed and samples of the airway secretions can be analyzed. In bronchoscopy, a small video camera is inserted down the airway system. The color and character of the airway walls can be examined and a fluid wash can be used to aspirate out secretion samples. General anesthesia is required for this procedure. This YouTube video shows a bronchoscopy and sampling of the airway secretion.
Should Dogs Take Systemic Steroids Long Term?
Due to the high risk of serious side effects, systemic steroids shouldn’t be used for long-term treatment. Your dog’s condition should be reevaluated and alternative treatment options should be considered if oral steroids are needed for a longer period of time.
Systemic steroids are typically administered to dogs who have persistent respiratory problems in order to control severe symptoms before switching to inhaled steroids
Steroids play a significant role in the daily management of respiratory diseases such as chronic canine bronchitis in dogs. For both your dog and your family, inhaled corticosteroids can significantly reduce side effects and improve quality of life.
In a study published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice9, inhaled corticosteroid therapy was shown to be well tolerated in dogs and reduced or resolved symptoms of canine respiratory disease without obvious side effects.
Administering inhaled corticosteroids to dogs is simple, can be done at home, and does not require hiding pills in food. A spacer device, like the AeroDawg* canine aerosol chamber, can help your dog take the medication in several breaths while still producing quick, effective results with lower doses of medication.
What is prednisone for dogs?
Prednisone is classified as a synthetic glucocorticoid. In essence, it is a medication created in a lab that will behave similarly to the hormone cortisol, which occurs naturally.
The liver transforms prednisone into prednisolone, which is the drug’s active form. It is also possible to synthesize prednisolone in a laboratory. In some cases. Prednisone may not be prescribed; incidentally, the medication most frequently prescribed for cats is this one. ).
We’ll come back to prednisone later, but first we should discuss cortisol since it serves as the basis for prednisone. The adrenal glands, a pair of tiny glands located above the kidneys, produce and release cortisol into the body to carry out its vital functions. Yes, you heard that right—life-sustaining. We need cortisol to survive, pure and simple. So it isn’t all bad.
What exactly is it about cortisol that makes it so vital? If cortisol had a resume, it would read:
FAQ
Is coughing a side effect of prednisone?
Dry, hacking cough. Eye pain, redness or tearing. Hives. Irregular heartbeat.
What are the side effects of prednisone in dogs?
- Increased thirst and appetite.
- Frequent urination.
- Panting.
- Lethargy.
- Development or worsening of infections (especially bacterial skin infections)
- Vomiting or nausea7
What does prednisone do for dogs with cough?
Prednisone and other corticosteroids reduce secretions and reduce inflammation like no other drug can. Usually a brief course is used to control symptoms at first, followed by a longer maintenance course at a lower dose. This aids in reducing mucus in the airways and breaking the vicious cycle between irritation and coughing.
Does prednisone affect breathing in dogs?
Prednisone, prednisolone, and other corticosteroid medications can mimic Cushing’s disease (see above). Many canines receiving steroids exhibit excessive and unwarranted panting, which usually disappears a few weeks after the medication is stopped.