Prednisone for Dogs – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Alternatives

We all want what’s best for our furry friends, which means whenever something is wrong with them; we immediately go into panic mode and do everything we can to fix the problem. For starters, we seek help from our veterinarians when things go downhill. Then, they prescribe medication for our dog to take to get better. Sometimes, adverse reactions will happen, other times, they won’t.

Here, we’re going to talk about one of the most common medications prescribed by veterinarians for dogs: Prednisone. You’ll learn the ins and outs of the steroid, and then we’ll provide you information regarding a trusted alternative. Let’s get started!

What is Prednisone & what can it be used for?

Prednisone is a steroid medication that is prescribed to dogs for a variety of reasons. The primary goal that Prednisone has is to reduce inflammation throughout the body, in both dogs and humans (which means you’ve probably heard of this medication before).

Some cases that Prednisone is prescribed for include:

• Shock
• Anemia
• Neoplasia
• Asthma
• Addison’s disease
• Allergies
• Arthritis
• Central nervous system disorders
• Liver conditions
• Cancers
• Inflammatory bowel disease

What is the correct dosage to administer to my dog?

Small doses are recommended when administering Prednisone to minimize any adverse reactions. Though you want to give your dog their proper dosage for the medical issue they are dealing with, you’ll also want to make sure you don’t give more than prescribed. Once your dog’s condition has improved, you’ll want to wean the dosage down little by little.

Typically, the dosage guidelines are as follows:

• 5 mg per pound of weight for anti-inflammatory issues
• 1 mg per pound of weight for suppression of the immune system (allergy relief)

Keep in mind, the exact dosage should be determined only by your veterinarian, depending on the health problem your fur friend is living with.

It is imperative that you do not miss giving your dog a dose when he or she is on this steroid medication. You should also be mindful that you’ll need to administer the medication at even intervals and at the same time each day.

Are there side effects associated with Prednisone?

All steroid medications have side effects associated with them. With Prednisone, you’ll have to look out for two sets of adverse reactions: short-term side effects and long-term side effects.

The short-term side effects are as follows:

• Increased thirst
• Increased hunger
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Panting
• Loss of energy
• Skin infections

If skin infections persist, they may turn into bacterial infections.

The long-term side effects are as follows:

• Increased aggression
• Urinary tract infections
• Lethargy
• Muscle weakness
• Diabetes
• Ulcers in the digestive tract

It is likely that your veterinarian will only prescribe Prednisone for a short amount of time. If he or she starts to give your dog this medication on a long-term basis, make sure you are bringing your dog to the vet to be monitored more frequently.

Is there an alternative I can turn to?

Fortunately, you will not have to resort to administering Prednisone to your dog for his or her inflammation-related problems forever. Instead, you’ll be able to purchase and use an all-natural herb known to have several anti-inflammatory properties within it: CBD oil.

CBD oil aids in healing in a variety of ways; for instance, CBD oil has been researched, and has proven itself useful in helping to reduce seizures, boost the immune system, improve overall mood, and ease anxiety, along with a long list of other benefits. Not only will CBD calm your dog’s inflammation better than Prednisone, but it will also produce not one adverse side effect. Try it today and be the first to witness how your dog’s quality of life improves within a matter of just a few days.

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