Prednisone is one of the corticosteroid drugs used in treating some illnesses in dos. It is an effective cure for autoimmune health conditions such as Crohn’s disease or Addison disease. It is also used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as asthma, allergies, and rheumatoid arthritis. The medication is often ineffective until it becomes prednisolone in the liver; a stage in which it is very active and helps in the above-named diseases. The drug is an immunosuppressant, hence acts to suppress the immune system. This is particularly the feature that makes it a good agent in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases are the effects of an overactive immune system that attacks different body organs. One of the prednisone variant called methylprednisolone is popularly used in the inflammatory diseases treatment in canines as a result of the inflammatory effect. In spite of the several uses of this drug, in treating several different diseases, using the drug in excess has serious prednisone side effects in canines.  Some of the mild prednisone side effects in canines range from simple to complicated and severe conditions. In fact, if the drug is used improperly it could lead to death. You need to know the various prednisone side effects in canines before you administer it to your pet.

There are a lot of prednisone side effects in canines. Some of the common side effects are:

Excess thirst and appetite prednisone induce unusually thirst; it also raises the appetite in canines. This consequently leads to frequent urination as well as an abnormal increase in weight in the canines. It is interesting to note that the prednisone side effects in canines are similar to those in humans

Here Is A List Of Other Prednisone Side Effects In Canines:

• Gastrointestinal disorders:  in canines, prednisone is known to cause gastrointestinal health conditions like vomiting, diarrhea, general gastrointestinal disorder and stomach ulcers
• Canine diabetes: the prolonged use of prednisone may lead to diabetes in canines. It occurs when the body system of the canines is not able to produce sufficient insulin or the body not being able to absorb the insulin produced. The condition causes an accumulation of large amount of glucose in the blood thus leading to diabetes
• Canine eye infection: when administered to canines, prednisone may cause disease conditions related to the eye. The canines could develop such conditions as poor vision, cataracts and glaucoma. These conditions should be examined by the veterinarian
• Wasting of muscles and general fatigue: the use of prednisone in canines may lead to various unpleasant side effects like fatigue, and unusual weakness. This is the reason the drug should not be used excessively.
• Inflammation: if prednisone use in canines is prolonged, it could cause inflammation in joints leading to severe pain and even making it uneasy for the canines to walk.
• Behavioral changes: there can be a sudden change in the behavior of the canines which is shown in aggressiveness, excessive restlessness and anxiety. This condition is the result of excess administration of prednisone in canines. There it is necessary to monitor any unusual behavior in the canines for proper and early attention and treatment.
• Hair coat and skin problems: an adverse side effect of prednisone includes the thinning of canines’s skin and the loss of hair coat. There may also be loss of luster of the hair coat. The canines at such conditions becomes prone to various skin infections that may be difficult to heal
• Canine Cushing’s disease: this disease condition is also called hyperadrenocorticism; a very serious condition in canines. It is caused due to a hormonal imbalance that leads to overproduction of the cortisone hormone. The symptoms of this disease condition are: weakness in the immune system, prednisone side effects in the canines, urination, excessive hunger, weight loss, thirst, and sudden weight gain.
• Panting: administering prednisone in canines in excessive amount can lead to excessive panting by the canines. There is evident labored breathing of the canines; a condition that the veterinarian can bring under control by reducing the prednisone dosage for dogs or completely changing to another medication that has less respiratory effects. it is however not recommended to administer prednisone with diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or any other medication without the advice of the veterinarian

Early Detection And Control Of Prednisone Side Effects

Prednisone belongs to the synthetic corticosteroid group, its anti-inflammatory use in animal and human diseases make it an important medicine. Veterinarians, however, prescribe the drug for canines that are suffering from allergic reactions, respiratory problems, trauma and other inflammations. The medicine is available as tablet, injection, and ointment. The drug is effective however it has some mild to severe side effects and if noticed should be reported to the veterinarian immediately.

Expert’s Recommendation On Withdrawing Prednisone Administration In Canines

If the negative effects of prednisone are intense in the canines, it may necessary to withdraw the use of the medication on the canines. This is achieved effectively by a gradual decrease of the dosage of the medicine. A sudden stop in the use of the drug by the canines can lead to death; this is due to the fact that prednisone intake reduces in the cortisol production in the canines and cortisol is a natural steroid which the adrenal gland of the canines’ body produces. If the intake of prednisone is stopped suddenly, it can lead to a drastic deficiency of complete drain of the hormone which will lead to adrenal crisis. Withdrawal of the medication from the canines should be done under a veterinarian’s supervision; report any abnormal symptoms or behavioral changes in the canines. Some of the withdrawal symptoms of Prednisone are a weakness, malaise, vomiting; loss of appetite, fatigue and breathing difficulty.

The canines owners have the responsibility of taking good care of their canines. Ensure that you take your pets for regular check-ups to the veterinarian to ensure they are always healthy and happy.