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  • HOME
  • DOG BREEDS

    🐕 A - F

    • Australian Shepherd
    • Beagle
    • Boxer
    • Border Collie
    • Cocker Spaniel
    • Corgi
    • Dachshund
    • French Bulldog

    🐩 G - M

    • German Shepherd
    • German Shepherd Wolf
    • Goldendoodle
    • Greyhound
    • Havanese
    • Husky
    • Labradoodle
    • Maltese
    • Mastiff
    • Miniature Husky
    • Miniature Schnauzer
    • Morkie

    🐶 N - Z

    • Pitbull
    • Pomchi
    • Pomeranian
    • Pomsky
    • Poodle
    • Shih Tzu
    • Shorkie
    • Yorkie

    More Articles on Breeds

    Best Dog Food for Rhodesian Ridgebacks DogStruggles

    10 Best Dog Foods for Rhodesian Ridgebacks

    10 January 2022
    11 Smartest Small Dog Breeds Featured Image

    11 Smartest Small Dog Breeds

    10 January 2022

    Stages of Husky Puppy Development

    10 January 2022
    german shepherd belgian malinois featured on dogstruggles

    German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois – Traits & Comparisons

    10 January 2022
    boxer beagle

    Beagle Boxer Mix – The Complete Boggle Dog Guide!

    10 January 2022
  • DOG FOOD
    • BY BREED
      • For American Bulldogs
      • For Australian Shepherds
      • For Basenjis
      • For Beagles
      • For Blue Heelers
      • For Border Collies
      • For Boxer Puppies
      • For Bull terriers
      • For Cavalier King Charles
      • For Chihuahua Puppies
      • For Cocker Spaniels
      • For Corgi Puppies
      • For Dachshunds
      • For Dalmations
      • For Dobermans
      • For French Bulldog Puppies
      • For German Shepherd Puppies
      • For German Shorthaired Pointers
      • For Golden Retrievers
      • For Great Danes
      • For Greyhounds
      • For Havanese
      • For Hunting Dogs
      • For Jack Russells
      • For Maltipoo
      • For Maltese Puppies
      • For Mastiffs
      • For Miniature Schnauzers
      • For Morkies
      • For Pomeranians  
      • For Poodles
      • For Husky Puppies
      • For Pitbulls
      • For Pugs
      • For Rhodesian Ridgebacks
      • For Rottweilers
      • For Shichons
      • For Saint Bernards
      • For Weimaraners
      • For Yorkies
    • COMPARISON
      • Annamaet
      • Bil-Jac
      • Canine Caviar
      • Evolve
      • Instinct
      • Brands on a Budget
      • Organic Brands
      • Nature’s Logic
      • Nulo
      • Orijen
      • Performatrin Ultra
      • Pro Pac
      • Royal Canin vs Blue Buffalo
      • Sojos
      • Taste of the Wild vs Blue Wilderness
      • Victor
      • Victor Dog Food vs Diamond Naturals
      • Weruva
      • Whole Earth Farm
    • FOR A PURPOSE
      • For Arthritis
      • For Bad Teeth
      • Dehydrated Dog Food
      • High-Calorie
      • High Fiber for Anal Gland Problems
      • Hypoallergenic Foods
      • For IBD 
      • Legume Free
      • Limited Ingredient Foods
      • Low Protein
      • Low Sodium
      • Ollie Dog Food Reviews
      • To Prevent Gas
      • Puppy Milk Replacer
      • For Picky Dogs
      • For Seizures
      • For Sensitive Stomachs
      • For Skin Allergies
      • For Yeast Infections
    • TREATS
      • Dentastix vs Greenies: Which is Better?
      • For Pomeranians
      • For Puppy Training
      • For Yorkies
  • DOG MEDICINE
    • Antihistamines for Allergies
    • Aspirin
    • Benadryl
    • Dewormers
    • DNA Tests
    • Dramamine
    • Ear Cleaners
    • Gabapentin
    • Glucosamine
    • Heartgard
    • Melatonin
    • Nexgard vs Frontline
    • Prednisone
    • Toothpastes
    • Tramadol
    • Trifexis vs Comfortis
    • Xanax
    • Zyrtec
  • DOG SUPPLIES
    • BEDS
      • Bedding for Kennels
      • Bedding for Puppies
      • Chew Proof beds
      • Elevated beds
      • For Australian Shepherds
      • For Beagles
      • For Bernese Mountain Dogs
      • For Border Collies
      • For Boston Terriers
      • For Boxers
      • For Bulldogs
      • For Chihuahuas
      • For Cockapoos
      • For Cocker Spaniels
      • For Corgis
      • For Coton De Tulears
      • For Dachshunds
      • For Dobermans
      • For English Mastiffs
      • For French Bulldogs
      • For German Shepherds
      • For Goldendoodles
      • For Great Danes
      • For Greyhounds
      • For Labradoodles
      • For Mastiffs
      • For Miniature Schnauzers
      • For Pitbulls
      • For Pomeranians
      • For Rhodesian Ridgebacks
      • For Rottweilers
      • For Shih Tzus
      • For Siberian Huskies
      • For Weimaraners
      • For Whippets
      • For Vizslas
      • For Yorkies
      • Heated Beds
      • Luxury Beds
      • Orthopedic Beds
      • Waterproof Beds
    • BRUSHES
      • For Australian Shepherds
      • For Boxer Dogs
      • For Corgis
      • For German Shepherds
      • For Goldendoodles
      • For Golden Retrievers
      • For Havanese
      • For Labradoodles
      • For Maltese
      • For Maltipoos
      • For Poodles
      • For Pitbulls
      • For Pomeranians
      • For Saint Bernards
      • For Shih Tzus
      • For Yorkies
    • COLLARS
      • Bark Collars
      • For Chihuahuas
      • Citronella Bark Collars
      • For Dobermans
      • For German Shepherds
      • Leather Collars
      • Reflective Collars
    • CLIPPERS
      • For Airedale Terriers
      • For Australian Shepherds
      • For Bichon Frise
      • For Border Collies
      • For Coton De Tulears
      • For German Shepherds
      • For Goldendoodles
      • For Havanese
      • For Labradoodles
      • For Lhasa Apso
      • For Maltese
      • For Matted Hair
      • For Miniature Schnauzers
      • For Old English Sheepdogs
      • For Pomeranians
      • For Poodles
      • For Portuguese Water Dogs
      • For Shih Tzus
    • CRATES
      • Crate Covers
      • For Beagles
      • For Border Collies
      • For Boston Terriers
      • For Boxers
      • For Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
      • For Chihuahuas
      • For Dachshunds
      • For Dobermans
      • For English Bulldogs
      • For Goldendoodles
      • For Golden Retrievers
      • For Great Danes
      • For Greyhounds
      • For Huskies
      • For Labradoodles
      • For Mastiffs
      • For Miniature Schnauzers
      • For Pitbulls
      • For Pomeranians
      • Revol Crate
      • For Rottweilers
      • For Separation Anxiety
      • For Shih Tzus
      • For Weimaraners
      • Crate Water Bottle
      • Wooden Dog Crates
      • For Yorkies
    • HARNESSES
      • For American Bulldogs
      • For Beagles
      • For Boxers
      • For Bulldogs
      • For Chihuahuas
      • For Dachshunds
      • For French Bulldogs
      • Freedom No Pull
      • For German Shepherds
      • For Golden Retrievers
      • K9 Harness
      • For Pugs
      • For Rottweilers
      • For Shih Tzu
      • For Siberian Husky
      • For Yorkies
    • LEASHES
      • For Pitbulls
      • For Running
      • Retractable
    • MUZZLES
      • Basket Muzzles
      • For Chihuahuas
      • For Pitbulls
    • NAIL CLIPPERS
      • For Cockapoos
      • For Golden Retrievers
    • TOYS
      • Balls
      • Chew Toys for Pit Bulls
      • For Border Collies
      • For Corgis
      • For Dalmations
      • Frisbees
      • Interactive Toys
      • Playpens
      • For Pomeranians
      • Pools
      • Puppy Chew Toys
      • For Shih Tzus
      • Squeaky Toys
      • Tug Toys
    • SHAMPOO
      • For Bulldogs
      • Flea Shampoos
      • For French Bulldogs
      • For Goldendoodles
      • For Golden Retrievers
      • For Huskies
      • Hypoallergenic Shampoos
      • For Maltese
      • Natural Shampoos for Sensitive Skin
      • Oatmeal Shampoos
      • For Pitbulls
      • For Pomeranians
      • For Poodles
      • For Puppies
      • For Shih Tzu
      • For Yorkies
    • Boston Terrier Sweater
    • Dog Camping Tents
    • Hunting Vests
    • Flea Carpet Powder
    • Strollers
    • Training Books
    • Pet Hair Vacuums
  • BLOG
    • Can My Dog Eat That?
      • Biscuits
      • Cheerios
      • Chia Seeds
      • Cinnamon
      • Crackers
      • Dairy
        • Cheese
        • Vanilla Ice Cream
      • Eggs
      • Falafel
      • Fruit
        • Apples
        • Avocado
        • Bananas
        • Blackberries
        • Coconut
        • Mangoes
        • Strawberries
        • Tomatoes
        • Zucchini
      • Honey
      • Hot Sauce
      • Instant Noodles
      • Meat
        • Chicken Bones
        • Chicken Skin
        • Ham Bones
        • Salami
        • Sausage
        • Steak
        • Trout
        • Tuna
        • Turkey
      • Oatmeal
      • Peanut Butter
      • Pink Salt
      • Pita Bread
      • Pizza Crust
      • Popcorn
      • Potato
      • Sunflower Seeds
      • Vegetables
        • Beans
        • Brussel Sprouts
        • Carrots
        • Green Peppers
        • Lettuce
        • Onions
        • Truffles
        • Yellow Squash
    • Cats vs. Dogs
    • Exotic Dog Breeds
      • African
      • Chinese
      • Cleanest
      • Curly Haired
      • English
      • Fastest
      • Long-Legged
      • Small White
      • Smartest Small Breeds
    • Guides
      • Benefits and Risks of a Raw Diet
      • Can I Give My Dog Aspirin?
      • Does CBD Work for Dogs? 
      • Dogs Insurance Will Not Cover
      • Fixing Your Dogs Fear of Bathing
      • Guide to Crate Training a Puppy
      • Guide To Dog Digestion
      • How Long Does It Take To Groom a Dog?
      • How Often Can I Bathe My Dog With Flea Shampoo
      • How Often Should You Wash Your Dog?
      • Why Do Dogs Eat Cat Poop?
      • Why Does My Dog Pee On My Bed?
    • GPS Chips
    • How To Guides
      • Keep Dog Off Bed
      • Leash Train a Dog That Won’t Walk
      • Make a Leash Out of Paracord
      • Make a Leather Collar
      • Measure a Dog For a Muzzle
      • Put a Dog Tag on a Collar
      • Sedate a Dog for Grooming
      • Sharpen Nail Clippers
      • Stop Dog from Digging
      • Store Dry Dog Food Long Term
      • Train Dog for Protection
      • Train Dog to Sit Down
      • Wash a Dog Bed With Stuffing
    • Superpowers Dogs Have
    • Why Do Dogs
      • Cough
      • Eat Grass
      • Eat Socks
      • Hump The Air
      • Keep Licking Their Paws
      • Look Sad
      • Penises Stay Out
      • Put Their Ears Back
      • Sleep So Much
      • Wag their Tail
      • Watch TV
    • Why Walking Your Dog is Good for You
  • ABOUT US
  • HOME
  • DOG BREEDS

    🐕 A - F

    • Australian Shepherd
    • Beagle
    • Boxer
    • Border Collie
    • Cocker Spaniel
    • Corgi
    • Dachshund
    • French Bulldog

    🐩 G - M

    • German Shepherd
    • German Shepherd Wolf
    • Goldendoodle
    • Greyhound
    • Havanese
    • Husky
    • Labradoodle
    • Maltese
    • Mastiff
    • Miniature Husky
    • Miniature Schnauzer
    • Morkie

    🐶 N - Z

    • Pitbull
    • Pomchi
    • Pomeranian
    • Pomsky
    • Poodle
    • Shih Tzu
    • Shorkie
    • Yorkie

    More Articles on Breeds

    Best Dog Food for Rhodesian Ridgebacks DogStruggles

    10 Best Dog Foods for Rhodesian Ridgebacks

    10 January 2022
    11 Smartest Small Dog Breeds Featured Image

    11 Smartest Small Dog Breeds

    10 January 2022

    Stages of Husky Puppy Development

    10 January 2022
    german shepherd belgian malinois featured on dogstruggles

    German Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois – Traits & Comparisons

    10 January 2022
    boxer beagle

    Beagle Boxer Mix – The Complete Boggle Dog Guide!

    10 January 2022
  • DOG FOOD
    • BY BREED
      • For American Bulldogs
      • For Australian Shepherds
      • For Basenjis
      • For Beagles
      • For Blue Heelers
      • For Border Collies
      • For Boxer Puppies
      • For Bull terriers
      • For Cavalier King Charles
      • For Chihuahua Puppies
      • For Cocker Spaniels
      • For Corgi Puppies
      • For Dachshunds
      • For Dalmations
      • For Dobermans
      • For French Bulldog Puppies
      • For German Shepherd Puppies
      • For German Shorthaired Pointers
      • For Golden Retrievers
      • For Great Danes
      • For Greyhounds
      • For Havanese
      • For Hunting Dogs
      • For Jack Russells
      • For Maltipoo
      • For Maltese Puppies
      • For Mastiffs
      • For Miniature Schnauzers
      • For Morkies
      • For Pomeranians  
      • For Poodles
      • For Husky Puppies
      • For Pitbulls
      • For Pugs
      • For Rhodesian Ridgebacks
      • For Rottweilers
      • For Shichons
      • For Saint Bernards
      • For Weimaraners
      • For Yorkies
    • COMPARISON
      • Annamaet
      • Bil-Jac
      • Canine Caviar
      • Evolve
      • Instinct
      • Brands on a Budget
      • Organic Brands
      • Nature’s Logic
      • Nulo
      • Orijen
      • Performatrin Ultra
      • Pro Pac
      • Royal Canin vs Blue Buffalo
      • Sojos
      • Taste of the Wild vs Blue Wilderness
      • Victor
      • Victor Dog Food vs Diamond Naturals
      • Weruva
      • Whole Earth Farm
    • FOR A PURPOSE
      • For Arthritis
      • For Bad Teeth
      • Dehydrated Dog Food
      • High-Calorie
      • High Fiber for Anal Gland Problems
      • Hypoallergenic Foods
      • For IBD 
      • Legume Free
      • Limited Ingredient Foods
      • Low Protein
      • Low Sodium
      • Ollie Dog Food Reviews
      • To Prevent Gas
      • Puppy Milk Replacer
      • For Picky Dogs
      • For Seizures
      • For Sensitive Stomachs
      • For Skin Allergies
      • For Yeast Infections
    • TREATS
      • Dentastix vs Greenies: Which is Better?
      • For Pomeranians
      • For Puppy Training
      • For Yorkies
  • DOG MEDICINE
    • Antihistamines for Allergies
    • Aspirin
    • Benadryl
    • Dewormers
    • DNA Tests
    • Dramamine
    • Ear Cleaners
    • Gabapentin
    • Glucosamine
    • Heartgard
    • Melatonin
    • Nexgard vs Frontline
    • Prednisone
    • Toothpastes
    • Tramadol
    • Trifexis vs Comfortis
    • Xanax
    • Zyrtec
  • DOG SUPPLIES
    • BEDS
      • Bedding for Kennels
      • Bedding for Puppies
      • Chew Proof beds
      • Elevated beds
      • For Australian Shepherds
      • For Beagles
      • For Bernese Mountain Dogs
      • For Border Collies
      • For Boston Terriers
      • For Boxers
      • For Bulldogs
      • For Chihuahuas
      • For Cockapoos
      • For Cocker Spaniels
      • For Corgis
      • For Coton De Tulears
      • For Dachshunds
      • For Dobermans
      • For English Mastiffs
      • For French Bulldogs
      • For German Shepherds
      • For Goldendoodles
      • For Great Danes
      • For Greyhounds
      • For Labradoodles
      • For Mastiffs
      • For Miniature Schnauzers
      • For Pitbulls
      • For Pomeranians
      • For Rhodesian Ridgebacks
      • For Rottweilers
      • For Shih Tzus
      • For Siberian Huskies
      • For Weimaraners
      • For Whippets
      • For Vizslas
      • For Yorkies
      • Heated Beds
      • Luxury Beds
      • Orthopedic Beds
      • Waterproof Beds
    • BRUSHES
      • For Australian Shepherds
      • For Boxer Dogs
      • For Corgis
      • For German Shepherds
      • For Goldendoodles
      • For Golden Retrievers
      • For Havanese
      • For Labradoodles
      • For Maltese
      • For Maltipoos
      • For Poodles
      • For Pitbulls
      • For Pomeranians
      • For Saint Bernards
      • For Shih Tzus
      • For Yorkies
    • COLLARS
      • Bark Collars
      • For Chihuahuas
      • Citronella Bark Collars
      • For Dobermans
      • For German Shepherds
      • Leather Collars
      • Reflective Collars
    • CLIPPERS
      • For Airedale Terriers
      • For Australian Shepherds
      • For Bichon Frise
      • For Border Collies
      • For Coton De Tulears
      • For German Shepherds
      • For Goldendoodles
      • For Havanese
      • For Labradoodles
      • For Lhasa Apso
      • For Maltese
      • For Matted Hair
      • For Miniature Schnauzers
      • For Old English Sheepdogs
      • For Pomeranians
      • For Poodles
      • For Portuguese Water Dogs
      • For Shih Tzus
    • CRATES
      • Crate Covers
      • For Beagles
      • For Border Collies
      • For Boston Terriers
      • For Boxers
      • For Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
      • For Chihuahuas
      • For Dachshunds
      • For Dobermans
      • For English Bulldogs
      • For Goldendoodles
      • For Golden Retrievers
      • For Great Danes
      • For Greyhounds
      • For Huskies
      • For Labradoodles
      • For Mastiffs
      • For Miniature Schnauzers
      • For Pitbulls
      • For Pomeranians
      • Revol Crate
      • For Rottweilers
      • For Separation Anxiety
      • For Shih Tzus
      • For Weimaraners
      • Crate Water Bottle
      • Wooden Dog Crates
      • For Yorkies
    • HARNESSES
      • For American Bulldogs
      • For Beagles
      • For Boxers
      • For Bulldogs
      • For Chihuahuas
      • For Dachshunds
      • For French Bulldogs
      • Freedom No Pull
      • For German Shepherds
      • For Golden Retrievers
      • K9 Harness
      • For Pugs
      • For Rottweilers
      • For Shih Tzu
      • For Siberian Husky
      • For Yorkies
    • LEASHES
      • For Pitbulls
      • For Running
      • Retractable
    • MUZZLES
      • Basket Muzzles
      • For Chihuahuas
      • For Pitbulls
    • NAIL CLIPPERS
      • For Cockapoos
      • For Golden Retrievers
    • TOYS
      • Balls
      • Chew Toys for Pit Bulls
      • For Border Collies
      • For Corgis
      • For Dalmations
      • Frisbees
      • Interactive Toys
      • Playpens
      • For Pomeranians
      • Pools
      • Puppy Chew Toys
      • For Shih Tzus
      • Squeaky Toys
      • Tug Toys
    • SHAMPOO
      • For Bulldogs
      • Flea Shampoos
      • For French Bulldogs
      • For Goldendoodles
      • For Golden Retrievers
      • For Huskies
      • Hypoallergenic Shampoos
      • For Maltese
      • Natural Shampoos for Sensitive Skin
      • Oatmeal Shampoos
      • For Pitbulls
      • For Pomeranians
      • For Poodles
      • For Puppies
      • For Shih Tzu
      • For Yorkies
    • Boston Terrier Sweater
    • Dog Camping Tents
    • Hunting Vests
    • Flea Carpet Powder
    • Strollers
    • Training Books
    • Pet Hair Vacuums
  • BLOG
    • Can My Dog Eat That?
      • Biscuits
      • Cheerios
      • Chia Seeds
      • Cinnamon
      • Crackers
      • Dairy
        • Cheese
        • Vanilla Ice Cream
      • Eggs
      • Falafel
      • Fruit
        • Apples
        • Avocado
        • Bananas
        • Blackberries
        • Coconut
        • Mangoes
        • Strawberries
        • Tomatoes
        • Zucchini
      • Honey
      • Hot Sauce
      • Instant Noodles
      • Meat
        • Chicken Bones
        • Chicken Skin
        • Ham Bones
        • Salami
        • Sausage
        • Steak
        • Trout
        • Tuna
        • Turkey
      • Oatmeal
      • Peanut Butter
      • Pink Salt
      • Pita Bread
      • Pizza Crust
      • Popcorn
      • Potato
      • Sunflower Seeds
      • Vegetables
        • Beans
        • Brussel Sprouts
        • Carrots
        • Green Peppers
        • Lettuce
        • Onions
        • Truffles
        • Yellow Squash
    • Cats vs. Dogs
    • Exotic Dog Breeds
      • African
      • Chinese
      • Cleanest
      • Curly Haired
      • English
      • Fastest
      • Long-Legged
      • Small White
      • Smartest Small Breeds
    • Guides
      • Benefits and Risks of a Raw Diet
      • Can I Give My Dog Aspirin?
      • Does CBD Work for Dogs? 
      • Dogs Insurance Will Not Cover
      • Fixing Your Dogs Fear of Bathing
      • Guide to Crate Training a Puppy
      • Guide To Dog Digestion
      • How Long Does It Take To Groom a Dog?
      • How Often Can I Bathe My Dog With Flea Shampoo
      • How Often Should You Wash Your Dog?
      • Why Do Dogs Eat Cat Poop?
      • Why Does My Dog Pee On My Bed?
    • GPS Chips
    • How To Guides
      • Keep Dog Off Bed
      • Leash Train a Dog That Won’t Walk
      • Make a Leash Out of Paracord
      • Make a Leather Collar
      • Measure a Dog For a Muzzle
      • Put a Dog Tag on a Collar
      • Sedate a Dog for Grooming
      • Sharpen Nail Clippers
      • Stop Dog from Digging
      • Store Dry Dog Food Long Term
      • Train Dog for Protection
      • Train Dog to Sit Down
      • Wash a Dog Bed With Stuffing
    • Superpowers Dogs Have
    • Why Do Dogs
      • Cough
      • Eat Grass
      • Eat Socks
      • Hump The Air
      • Keep Licking Their Paws
      • Look Sad
      • Penises Stay Out
      • Put Their Ears Back
      • Sleep So Much
      • Wag their Tail
      • Watch TV
    • Why Walking Your Dog is Good for You
  • ABOUT US
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Dog struggles
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Home Dog medicine

Prednisone for Dogs: Dosage and Side Effects

Sarah Robinson by Sarah Robinson
8 January 2022
in Dog medicine
dog itching in field
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It is a rare dog indeed that at some point in their life has not been prescribed prednisone for dogs.

In part this is because itchiness is extremely common, and prednisone is extremely good at stopping itches, but also because a dose of prednisone often produces an instant and discernible improvement.

Whilst this may make prednisone sound like a wonder drug, this is far from the truth because there are a wide number of side effects of prednisone for dogs, plus the drug can also mask developing disease with disastrous consequences.

Prednisone for Dogs

1. What is Prednisone for Dogs?

Prednisone belongs to a class of drugs called corticosteroids, or is what ‘apple’ is to ‘fruit’.

When prednisone is given to dogs it is broken down to a more active molecule called prednisolone.

Thus some vets will prescribe the precursor drug, prednisone, whilst others opt to save the body a bit of work by using prednisolone.

The key to understanding why prednisone is so popular is to know more about corticosteroids and their actions.

Steroids are naturally occurring chemicals that are manufactured in the body in the adrenal cortex (this is a small gland that sits on top of the kidney, as a cherry on a cupcake).

The natural steroid helps the body cope with the ups and downs of everyday life.

Indeed a condition known as Addison’s disease occurs when the adrenal cortex is damaged and can’t produce steroids.

The result is a dog that can’t cope with stress and becomes extremely ill with muscular weakness, sickness, and diarrhea.

brown dog sad

As for the role of prednisone in veterinary medicine, it has a number of properties which make it so popular, such as:

  • It is a potent anti-inflammatory
  • It has an immunosuppressive role
  • It is anti-neoplastic (anti-cancer)

So what does this mean in practical terms and when might your dog be prescribed prednisone?

Anti-inflammatory means just that, it’s a useful way at reducing inflammation.

This makes prednisone for dogs itching a popular choice as it produces an almost instant relief from the misery of scratching, licking, and chewing.

With regards to suppressing the immune system, this can be incredibly important in conditions such as auto-immune conditions, where the body attacks its own tissues.

This can lead to serious complications such as profound anemia or serious skin conditions, but prednisone can ‘switch off’ that inappropriate reaction and allow the dog to recover.

Prednisone for dogs cancer is another important role.

brown dog staring

This is because prednisone has a number of effects on cancer cells that play an important role as a chemotherapy drug.

This includes making the cancer cells less ‘sticky’ so they are less able to seed off and establish secondary tumors, and also shrinking down the size of some tumors.

2. Is Prednisone Safe for Dogs?

To be safe steroids need to be used responsibly and under veterinary supervision.

In all but the most straightforward cases, your vet will want to reach a diagnosis before starting treatment with steroids.

This is because:

  • Steroid usage can interfere with reliable test results, throwing up false negatives and false positives, making a diagnosis post-treatment difficult or impossible.
  • Steroids give a feeling of euphoria, so the patient can appear to get better when in reality they are deteriorating. This can mask warning signs leading to a potentially catastrophic worsening of the condition.
  • Steroids have a wide range of undesirable interactions with other drugs, so their use needs careful consideration
  • Steroids can worsen conditions such as diabetes or infections
  • Steroids can cause illnesses such as Cushing’s disease when used in the wrong way

That said, once the vet has reached a diagnosis, steroids can be hugely beneficial and even life-saving in a range of conditions.

dog joviale

Those where prednisone is most commonly called into action include:

  • Skin allergies
  • Autoimmune conditions where the body attacks its own cells. This includes serious conditions such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia (red blood cell destruction), autoimmune thrombocytopenia (clotting platelets are destroyed), and pemphigus.
  • Inflammatory conditions such as IBD (Inflammatory bowel disease) or sterile meningitis.
  • Cancers, especially conditions such as lymphoma or mast cell tumors.

3. Prednisone Side Effects for Dogs

When used in the wrong way, steroids can either cause side effects in the short term (such as vomiting) or in the long term (such as dependency and Cushing’s disease).

Short Term Side Effects

As a pet parent, if your dog is prescribed prednisone the most immediate problem you’ll notice is the dog eats and drinks more.

Excessive drinking can lead to accidents in the house, even for dogs that are properly potty trained.

Likewise, the ravenous appetite can cause some dogs to steal food and is a common cause of weight gain.

Unfortunately, these side effects are to be expected, so don’t be alarmed if your dog becomes food and water-obsessed.

Whilst inconvenient and undesirable, hunger and thirst aren’t generally harmful to the dog, however, some of the other short term side effects are.

The most serious include gastric ulceration.

dog bored

This is most likely to occur when the steroid is given on an empty stomach.

This can lead to damage to the stomach lining and ulcer formation.

The signs of gastric ulcers include poor appetite and vomiting, of which vomiting blood is a worrying sign.

With this in mind if your dog does not eat but is on steroids, phone your vet to take their advice about whether to give the medication or not.

Also in the short term, giving steroids can cause serious side effects if the dog is taking other drugs, such as painkillers from the non-steroidal family.

These two different families of drugs both have gastric ulceration as a recognized side effect, so the chances of a serious problem are greatly magnified.

Long Term Side Effects

Long term side effects do depend on the dose.

For example, a dog on long term high doses of steroid for itchy skin may find himself putting on weight at an alarming rate.

Also in the long term steroids have a variety of unwanted effects such as thin skin, muscle weakness, and a potbelly.

You and your vet need to have a discussion about how essential it is the dog takes prednisone and if there are any alternatives.

For example, a dog with itchy skin may be able to take an alternative drug.

Whilst for a dog with cancer the alternative to not taking steroids could be death, so putting up with the side effects is a price worth paying.

The bad news is that the long a dog takes steroids, the longer it takes for him to come off them.

sad black dog

Suddenly stopping the steroids can cause catastrophic problems such as an Addisonian crisis where the dog collapses, and in extreme cases could die.

To avoid the long term consequences most vets take two precautions. These are:

  • To wean the dog down to the lowest effective dose
  • To put the dog on alternate day therapy

Alternate day therapy is essential for dogs on long term treatment, as it gives the body a chance to be less dependent on steroids.

The idea is to give a double dose but every-other-day, giving the dog a steroid-free day in between.

This allows the dog to derive the beneficial effects of the prednisone but allows the body to make its own steroid (and reduce its dependency on tablets) of the ‘off’ day.

4. How Long Can a Dog Stay on Prednisone?

Generally, the aim is for the dog to take steroids for the shortest time possible.

However, a dog with a long term illness such as IBD or an autoimmune disease may need to stay on steroids for life.

big dog sad

This can be safely achieved by the use of alternate-day dosing (as described above).

5. Prednisone Dosage for Dogs

The dosage of prednisone varies widely.

The dose to reduce inflammation is generally around 1 – 2 mg/kg body weight, whilst anti-cancer or immunosuppressive doses are higher at 2 – 4 mg/kg body weight.

That said, ultra-low doses such as ¼ mg/kg are often all that is needed for mild inflammation.

A large dog such as a mastiff on treatment for lymphoma can easily need to take around 140mg of steroid a day, making prednisone 20mg for dogs the easiest way to get the tablets in.

For smaller dogs or smaller doses, prednisone 5mg for dogs provides more flexible dosing.

puppy sleeping

Again, the general rules are that the tablets should be given with or after food, and if your dog is unwell or vomits then contact your vet for advice about whether to give the next dose. For all other dog-medication please refer to our index page here.

Sarah Robinson

Sarah Robinson

Dr Sarah Robinson attended veterinary school at Oklahoma State University receiving a D.V.M. in 2008. Sarah’s longtime interest is to help people to better communicate with their pet companions, and in doing so, to help them to strengthen their relationships with their dogs and cats. Sarah has published numerous articles on canine feeding in pet related magazines, veterinary journals and leading natural health web sites.

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