Prednisolone for Dogs: A Steroid for Inflammation and Autoimmune Issues
Key takeaways:
Prednisolone is a steroid that is related to prednisone. It can help control inflammation and autoimmune reactions in dogs.
The most common side effects of prednisolone in dogs include increased thirst, appetite, and urination.
Long-term use of steroids like prednisolone can lead to serious health risks, including a higher risk of stomach and digestive ulcers and a weakened immune system.
Table of contents
Steroids, such as prednisolone and prednisone, are used to treat both pets and people. If you’ve ever had to take one of these medications, you may be familiar with their benefits — and their side effects. But do dogs react to them the same?
If your veterinarian has prescribed prednisolone for your dog, it’s helpful to learn as much about the medication as you can. Here, we cover the potential benefits and side effects of prednisolone for dogs.
Prednisolone for dogs at a glance
Common names | Prednisolone |
What it treats | Inflammation, allergies, autoimmune conditions, Addison’s disease, some types of cancer |
How it comes (forms) | Injection, tablets, oral liquid |
Dosage | Depends on a dog’s weight and the condition being treated |
Common side effects | Increased thirst, increased urination, increased appetite, weight gain, restlessness, panting, slow wound healing |
Cost |
What is prednisolone for dogs, and how does it work?
Prednisolone is a corticosteroid (steroid). It’s closely related to prednisone, another steroid used to treat both dogs and people. These medications are considered interchangeable for dogs. But your veterinarian may decide that prednisolone is a better option for your pup.
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A steroid like prednisolone can help reduce inflammation in your dog’s body. Inflammation occurs when your dog’s immune system detects a threat, like an infection or virus. But sometimes, your dog’s immune system overreacts when there isn’t really a threat. When this happens, it can lead to uncomfortable symptoms for your pup. Steroids like prednisolone help calm these unhelpful immune system reactions.
What is prednisolone used for in dogs?
Prednisolone treats many conditions in dogs — ranging from allergies to autoimmune diseases and even some cancers.
At low dosages, prednisolone is used to reduce excessive inflammation caused by allergies. A veterinarian may prescribe a low dosage of prednisolone to treat:
Flea allergies
Grass, pollen, or dust allergies
Ear infections or inflammation
Paw infections or inflammation
Skin infections
At high dosages, prednisolone suppresses (weakens) the immune system. This can be helpful for dogs with autoimmune diseases. Veterinarians use prednisolone to treat canine autoimmune diseases such as:
Pemphigus foliaceus
Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia
Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia
Prednisolone is also used to treat some forms of cancer in dogs. For example, veterinarians combine prednisolone and chemotherapy medications to treat lymphoma.
Pain medications for dogs: If your dog is in pain, there are a number of medications that might help. Review some of your options here, then talk to your veterinarian.
Does your dog have allergies? Dogs can experience seasonal allergies just like people. Learn everything you need to know about canine allergies.
Prednisone for dogs: Curious how prednisone is different from prednisolone for dogs? Here’s what to expect if your dog is prescribed prednisone.
Finally, veterinarians prescribe prednisolone for dogs with Addison’s disease. This condition occurs when the body can’t produce enough natural steroid hormones. Prednisolone can be used to replace the natural steroids that a dog is not producing.
What is the typical dosage of prednisolone for dogs, and how is it given?
Your veterinarian will determine the best dosage of prednisolone for your dog based on their weight and the desired effects. Prednisolone is available as an injection, tablets, or oral liquid.
Some conditions, like allergies, are treated with low dosages of prednisolone. Most often, the medication is given once a day for allergies.
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Autoimmune disease treatment requires a high dosage of prednisolone to control a dog’s immune system. If your dog has an autoimmune disease, you may need to give them the medication twice a day (or once every 12 hours).
What should you do if your dog misses a dose of prednisolone?
If you forget to give your dog a dose of prednisolone, give them the missed dose as soon as you remember. Then, resume your dog’s normal medication schedule. If it is close to the time for your dog’s next dose, skip the missed one and continue with the normal schedule.
What are the common side effects of prednisolone in dogs?
Prednisolone’s side effects are similar to those associated with prednisone. If you’ve ever taken either of these medications yourself, you may be familiar with the side effects that accompany them.
Prednisolone’s common side effects in dogs include:
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Increased appetite
Restlessness
Slow wound healing
Most dogs only take prednisolone for a short amount of time, and any side effects go away once they stop taking the medication. Long-term prednisolone use can have more serious side effects.
What are the most serious risks of prednisolone for dogs?
Dogs who take prednisolone for a long period of time may develop symptoms that mimic a condition called Cushing’s disease. This condition occurs when the body produces too many steroid hormones. Signs of Cushing’s disease include:
Muscle loss
Potbellied appearance
Thin skin
Calcium deposits in the skin
High blood sugar
In some dogs, prednisolone can cause ulcers in the stomach and intestines. This may cause vomiting or diarrhea — and, in some cases, bloody vomit or diarrhea. Ulcers require veterinary treatment.
Long-term use of prednisolone can also weaken a dog’s immune system. Dogs taking prednisolone long term may be more prone to infections, including:
Urinary infections
Skin infections
If your dog needs to take prednisolone for a long time, work with your veterinarian to monitor them for signs of infection.
Does prednisolone interact with any other dog medications?
Prednisolone interacts with a number of other common medications for dogs. Never give prednisolone to your dog unless instructed to do so by your veterinarian. And make sure your veterinarian knows about any other medications your dog takes, including any prescription or over-the-counter treatments.
Combining prednisolone with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can lead to serious digestive effects. In some cases, this combination can be deadly. The following NSAIDs can interact with prednisolone:
Prednisolone may also impact your dog’s ability to respond to vaccines, due to its immunosuppressive effects. So it may be best to stop giving your dog prednisolone before scheduling their vaccines. Talk to your veterinarian if your dog takes prednisolone and is due for vaccines.
Frequently asked questions
Both prednisolone and prednisone can be given to dogs to treat immune-related conditions. The biggest difference between the medications is that prednisone has to be converted into prednisolone by the liver. Cats aren’t able to convert prednisone to prednisolone very well. But dogs don’t have this issue, so they can take either medication.
Prednisone is an alternate form of prednisolone that can be prescribed to dogs.
If you’re wondering about alternatives to both prednisone and prednisolone, ask your veterinarian about other options for your dog.
The bottom line
Prednisolone can help treat several health conditions in dogs, including allergies, autoimmune diseases, Addison’s disease, and some cancers. The medication is associated with a high likelihood of side effects that range from mild to potentially serious.
Prednisolone can also cause harmful interactions with other medications. But if your dog has an allergic or autoimmune condition, the benefits of prednisolone can be worth the risks. Talk to your veterinarian to determine whether prednisolone is an appropriate treatment for your dog.
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References
Brehm, A. (2015). Immunosuppressive therapy. University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center.
Brooks, W. (2023). Lymphoma in dogs. Veterinary Partner.
Brooks, W. (2024). Prednisolone/prednisone. Veterinary Partner.
Edwards, S. H. (2024). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in animals. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Greco, D. S. (2024). Cushing disease (pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism) in animals. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Trepanier, L. (2015). Glucocorticoids. Clinician’s Brief.
Veterinary Information Network. (2020). Prednisone, prednisolone and prednisolone acetate.
