Prednisone is a corticosteroid that is not poisonous to dogs. However, the dosage does need to be closely monitored to prevent health issues from developing. Human prescriptions for prednisone include Deltasone, Mericorten and Sterapred. Prednisone for dogs is strictly a generic brand at this point.
Veterinarians use prednisone to treat many conditions, including:
- Addison's disease
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Autoimmune diseases
- Brain swelling
- Cancer
- Colitis
- Kidney disease
Dosage for Prednisone in Dogs
Prednisone comes in 1mg, 5mg, 10mg, 20mg and 50mg tablets. The dosage generally ranges from 0.1mg to 3mg per pound, but proper dosing depends on the condition being treated.
If an overdose occurs once, your dog is unlikely to die or suffer any ill effects. Long-term overdose puts your pet at risk for developing Cushing's syndrome.
Dangers of Prednisone Overdose
While prednisone is safe and prescribed by veterinarians in the proper dosage, it can lead to problems if too much of the drug is given or if it is used for too long. In addition, the drug cannot be stopped suddenly. Proper usage of this prescription medication involves slowly weaning a dog from it.
Dogs with congestive heart failure, Cushing's disease, fungal infections, high blood pressure, kidney disease and stomach ulcers should never be given the medication.
Prednisone suppresses the immune system when a dog is given a high dosage. Long-term use of the medication also causes muscle weakness, diabetes and Cushing's disease. It's important that your veterinarian checks your pet's overall health before prescribing this medication and that the lowest possible dosage is given.