What Is Prednisone For Dogs?
Prednisone (also known as Nardil) is a drug used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory conditions in humans. It’s been around since the 1940s when it was first developed. Since then, it has become one of the most popular drugs used to fight various types of infections. However, there are some downsides to using prednisone in dogs. One of these is its tendency to cause liver damage.
Another problem with prednisone is that it can lead to depression and lethargy in dogs. These symptoms may last from a few days up until several months after the drug has been discontinued.
The Drug Can Cause Liver Damage And Depression In Dogs
Liver disease is a common complication of many medications used in pets, including prednisone. If your pet takes prednisone, it could affect their health even further.
In addition to causing liver problems, prednisone can also cause depression in dogs. While this effect is less common than liver damage, it does occur occasionally.
In fact, some veterinarians believe that depression in dogs is caused by the drug itself rather than any underlying medical condition.
How Does Prednisone Affect A Dog’s Health?
If your pet has been diagnosed with arthritis or any other inflammatory condition, your veterinarian may recommend prednisone. Even some veterinarians use it to treat a wide variety of conditions in dogs. For example, some vets believe that prednisone can be used to treat skin problems such as eczema and allergies.
However, there are downsides to using prednisone in dogs. One of the most common side effects of using it is liver damage.
This is because of prednisone’s effect on the liver’s ability to process certain proteins. When this happens, your pet’s liver will not be able to carry out its normal functions and it can cause a rise in the levels of certain enzymes in the liver. This can lead to acute or chronic liver injury in dogs.
Most dogs will experience no side effects when taking a low dose of prednisone (less than 2mg per lb of body weight). However, some dogs will experience side effects even at this low dose.
These can include:
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Dehydration
Severe itching
If your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms you should contact your veterinarian immediately. The doctor may want to change the dosage or try another medication that works in a similar way.
If your dog is taking a medium dosage of prednisone (between 2mg and 5mg per lb of body weight), he is more likely to experience liver damage. The drug can also cause a variety of psychological side effects in dogs including:
Restlessness
Hyperactivity
Aggression
Mood Swings
Anxiety
These side effects can be fairly serious and you should contact your veterinarian immediately if you think your dog is experiencing them. If the dosage is not reduced, these side effects can become long-term problems for your pet.
What Are The Long-Term Effects Of Taking Prednisone?
If your dog has taken a high dosage of prednisone (more than 5mg per lb of body weight) he is at risk of experiencing life-threatening side effects. These can include:
An enlarged heart
Severe stomach ulcers
Eye problems
If your dog experiences any of these symptoms you should contact your veterinarian immediately. The worst thing you can do is ignore the signs, as it could lead to death.
If the drug is discontinued too quickly, your pet may also experience a variety of psychological and physiological side effects known as steroid withdrawal syndrome. This can include:
Loss of appetite
Restlessness
Dehydration
Seizures
Coma
If your dog experiences any of these symptoms you should contact your veterinarian immediately. The doctor will gradually reduce the dosage to avoid these side effects.
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