Prednisone is a corticosteroid that is used to manage inflammation in dogs resulting from various health conditions. It is available in oral, topical, or injectable forms. Prednisone is prescribed by veterinarians as an immunosuppressant and/or anti-inflammatory medicine to treat a wide range of conditions, including:
- Allergic reactions
- Itching
- Hives
- Pain and inflammation resulting from arthritis
- Skin diseases
- High calcium levels
- Nervous system disorders
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Autoimmune diseases, including lupus and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA)
- Neoplasia (abnormal cells or cancer)
- Anaphylactic shock (a life-threatening allergic reaction)
- Spinal cord trauma
Prednisone is also used off-label to treat Addisons disease, lymphoma, and immune-mediated polyarthritis in dogs. However, it is important to note that the use of prednisone can cause adverse side effects, including vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, panting, weight gain, lethargy, and more. These side effects usually go away when the drug is stopped, but long-term use of high doses of prednisone may lead to serious health conditions, including diabetes mellitus, lipidemia, pancreatitis, polyphagia (increased appetite), elevated liver enzymes, obesity, muscle weakness, and hair loss. Therefore, it is important to always consult a veterinarian before giving any medications to your dog and to follow their directions and cautions very carefully.
