Prednisolone/Prednisone
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Prednisolone/Prednisone during a consultation by Dr Noor. Prednisolone/Prednisone for pets in Perth.”
Key Information
Note: This handout is meant to address questions people often ask. It does not include every detail that exists about this medicine. It also does not replace the medical guidance you receive from your veterinary care team.
- Prednisone and prednisolone are steroid medicines used to reduce swelling and irritation.
- Giving the dose with a meal can lower the chance of stomach upset.
- Make sure your pet always has access to clean, fresh water. This medicine can make pets drink more.
- Side effects can happen, and they are more likely when the medicine is used for a long time. The side effects seen most often are increased hunger, increased thirst, and needing to urinate more.
- This medicine can lead to sores and bleeding in the stomach or intestines. Call your veterinarian right away if your pet stops eating, has black stools that look like tar, or vomits blood.
- Do not stop this medicine all at once. The amount usually must be reduced step-by-step, especially if it has been used for more than 2 weeks.
Description
- This medicine is a corticosteroid (a type of steroid medicine).
- Prednisone and prednisolone are two very similar forms of the same steroid.
- It comes as tablets and as liquid taken by mouth.
Other common names
- Prednisone may also be called Deltasone.
- Prednisolone may also be called Millipred, Orapred, Pediapred, PrednisTab.
Uses of Prednisolone/Prednisone
Approved uses in animals:
- Used to treat conditions involving inflammation in dogs.
At your veterinarian’s judgment, it may also be used in other animals or for other purposes (extra-label use), including:
- Reducing inflammation in dogs, cats, and other animals
- Treating low natural steroid hormone levels (Addison’s disease) in dogs and cats
- Lowering immune system activity in dogs and cats
- Treating certain cancers in dogs and cats
Before this medication is given
No medicine is completely risk-free for every patient. Talk with your veterinarian about:
- Any medicines or supplements your pet is taking now. This medicine can react with many other drugs.
- Any health problems your pet has now, or has had before.
- Any unwanted reactions your pet has had to medicines in the past.
- The possible risks if your pet is pregnant or nursing.
Also tell your veterinarian if your pet is going to have allergy testing.
Warnings for animals
Do not use:
- Prednisone in cats. Cats should receive prednisolone instead, because it works better in cats than prednisone.
- In pets that have had an allergic reaction to this medicine or to other corticosteroids (steroid medicines).
- In pets that have fungal infections or viral infections.
- In pets that have sores in the stomach, intestines, or eyes.
- In pets that are taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other steroid medicines. Using these together can increase the chance of stomach sores and bleeding in the digestive tract.
- In pets that have high natural steroid hormone levels (Cushing’s disease).
Use with caution in animals:
- Some animal sports or competitions do not allow certain medicines. If your animal competes, check the rules while your animal is taking this medicine.
- Use extra care if your pet has diabetes.
- Use extra care if your pet has heart, kidney, liver, or bone disease.
- Use extra care in pets that have a high chance of developing blood clots.
- Use extra care if your pet has tuberculosis or other bacterial infections.
- Use extra care if your pet is pregnant or nursing.
- Use extra care if your pet is having surgery soon, is recovering from surgery, or recently had surgery.
- Use extra care in young, growing animals. If used for a long time, this medicine can affect growth.
Warnings for humans
- Wash your hands after you handle any medication.
How do I give this medication?
- Give this medicine exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed it.
- Follow the directions on the prescription label every time.
- Give the dose with food to reduce the chance of stomach upset.
- Always provide plenty of fresh water, because this medicine can increase thirst.
- If a dog is getting this medicine once per day, give it in the morning. This may reduce the chance your dog will need to urinate during the night.
- If you are giving a liquid, measure it with an oral syringe, a medicine cup, or a dosing spoon. Do not use kitchen spoons or other household measuring tools.
- Your veterinarian may give you a plan to slowly lower the dose over time (a taper). Follow that schedule exactly.
Side effects
Common — contact your veterinarian if these problems are strong, keep happening, or get worse over time:
- Throwing up or loose stools
- Small changes in behavior
- Increased hunger and increased thirst, especially in dogs
- Needing to urinate more often, especially in dogs
- Heavy breathing/panting, especially in dogs
Possible with long-term use — contact your veterinarian if you notice any of these signs:
- Weight gain or a round, “pot-bellied” look
- Changes to skin or coat, including hair loss
- Loss of muscle
- Weakness
Severe — stop giving the medicine and contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of these signs:
- Black stools that look like tar, or vomiting blood. These can be signs of sores or bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
- Weight loss along with very strong hunger, thirst, or urination. These may be signs of high blood sugar or diabetes.
- Major behavior changes, such as acting aggressively or making threatening actions.
Prednisone and prednisolone can reduce the body’s ability to fight infection when used at high doses, which can raise the chance of infection. They can also hide some usual signs of infection. Low energy may be the only sign you notice. Contact your veterinarian right away if your pet suddenly becomes low-energy.
If your pet has been receiving high doses of prednisone or prednisolone, vaccines may not work as well. Speak with your veterinarian about how to keep your pet protected while your pet is on this medicine.
How will I know it's working?
- Call your veterinary clinic if your pet’s symptoms get worse or do not get better.
How long will the medication effects last?
- The medicine’s effect will be gone within 24 hours after the last dose.
- The effect may last longer if your pet’s liver function is reduced.
- When stopping the medicine, the dose must be lowered gradually over time to avoid unwanted effects.
- Your veterinarian will give you instructions for lowering the dose.
How long do I give it for?
- This medicine may be used for different lengths of time.
- Keep giving it for the full time your veterinarian instructs.
- You may need prescription refills.
- Do not stop this medicine suddenly, especially if it has been used for more than 2 weeks.
Overdose
If you see or think there may have been an overdose, contact your veterinarian right away (a consultation fee may apply).
If possible, have the medication container or label available.
Missed dose
In most situations, if you forget a dose:
- Give the dose as soon as you remember, and then go back to the normal schedule.
If it is almost time for the next dose:
- Do not give the missed dose.
- Give the next dose at the regular time.
- Continue with the usual schedule.
If you are not sure what to do, call your veterinary clinic. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
Storage
- Keep the medicine in its original container at room temperature.
- Store it where children and animals cannot reach it.
Disposal
- Do not flush this medicine down a toilet.
- Do not pour it into a sink drain.
Ways to get rid of unused or expired medicine include:
- Medication take-back locations: This is the best option when available. To find a nearby location, contact your waste management office.
- At-home disposal: Mix the medicine with coffee grounds or kitty litter, put the mixture into a sealed plastic bag, and place it in the trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine for later use.
- Do not give leftover medicine to anyone else to use.
Questions?
Speak with your veterinarian.
Your pet should begin to feel better within 1 to 2 days. After that, you should see your pet’s symptoms improve little by little.
Your veterinarian may recommend follow-up testing to check how well the medicine is working.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”