Prednisone and Prednisolone | PetMD
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Side Effects Of Injectable and Oral Steroids In Cats | Trudell Animal Health.Side Effects of Corticosteroids - Paws & Claws Animal Hospital
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Although there are several other forms of corticosteroid medications such as inhaled and injected , the main types of oral steroids prescribed for cats include:. Injected options include depo-medrol Pfizer, methylprednisone and dexamethasone. These corticosteroids are synthetic and much more potent than steroids naturally occurring in the body and typically last much longer.
This combination of strength and length of time that they are active in the body is what can cause the serious side effects when used long term. While both have similar effects, prednisolone is the metabolized form of prednisone.
Prednisone must be metabolized by the liver before it can be used effectively. Cats are not able to absorb and convert prednisone into the active metabolite, prednisolone. This means there is a higher bioavailability of prednisolone—it is absorbed at a higher rate and degree than prednisone. Oral and injectable medications need to be processed by the body. Once in the bloodstream, they spread throughout the entire body system. Only some of the medication goes to the intended target, the rest could impact other organs as well.
This is why these types of medications are often referred to as systemic steroids. As such, there are many side effects associated with oral and injected steroid use. Short-term side effects are expected soon after a cat begins to take oral and injected corticosteroids. These effects will vary by dose. Long-term side effects are seen over time if a cat has been prescribed long-term treatment with oral corticosteroids.
The severity of these effects depends on the dose and duration of treatment. As prednisone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone are all oral corticosteroids, they have similar short-term and long-term side effects in cats. Short-term effects of oral corticosteroids:. Long-term effects of oral corticosteroids:. These side effects may reduce the quality of life of not only the affected cat, but also the family relationship.
Cats who are lethargic or have a change in behaviour may be unable or unwilling to play and may no longer seem like the cat you knew. In the case of feline asthma, systemic steroids may be used by a vet during an asthma attack.
However, because of the many side effects of using oral steroids, they should not be used for long-term disease control. The goal of systemic steroids is often to get an immediate respiratory response if the cat is in distress. The cat can then be transitioned to inhaled steroids for regular management. For chronic conditions that require ongoing treatment, this becomes problematic. Because cat asthma and chronic bronchitis are life long conditions, corticosteroids are an important part of daily disease management to keep the airways clear and help cats with these conditions live a normal life.
Inhaled corticosteroids are a safer alternative to oral and injectable steroids, lacking the side effects that can be common to systemic steroids. There must be a better way! The problem is, corticosteroids are often not used at the right dose, for the proper length of time, or for the correct reason. With rare exceptions for example, some cancers and immune disorders , there is rarely — if ever — a need for the long-term use of corticosteroids in the treatment of diseases such as arthritis or allergies, since so many natural options work just as well.
Corticosteroids are stress hormones naturally produced by the adrenal glands, under the control of the pituitary gland. This is one of the potentially serious side effects that can occur when we treat pets with steroids.
Corticosteroids have many positive effects and do a number of wonderful things. First, they are anti-inflammatory and analgesic pain-relieving. They decrease inflammation, swelling, pain caused by inflammation , and itching their ability to relieve itching leads many doctors to over-prescribe them for pets with allergic dermatitis.
Steroids are also very helpful in the initial treatment of patients with severe shock and neurological disease e. For pets with various cancers, corticosteroids can actually kill cancer cells. While generally safe and effective when prescribed by a veterinarian, prednisone can cause side effects in some animals.
Adverse effects include increased thirst and appetite, panting, vomiting, restlessness, and diarrhea. Some animals may develop stomach ulcers from prednisone use. Long-term use may result in loss of hair coat, weakening of the muscles, liver impairment, and behavioral changes. Prednisone may interact with other medications. Consult with your veterinarian to determine if other drugs your pet is receiving could interact with prednisone. Such drugs include non-steroidal anti-inflammatories drugs, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, estrogens, diuretics, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, ephedrine, aspirin, amphotericin B, and vaccines.
Extreme care must be taken when stopping prednisone therapy. If an animal has been on prednisone for an extended period of time, slow weaning off the drug is critical to avoid serious complications. Doses of prednisone and prednisolone in dogs and cats vary widely depending on the reason for prescribing. The goal of dosing prednisone and prednisolone is to use what is needed for the shortest period of time possible.
In both dogs and cats, anti-inflammatory doses range from 0. Doses for treating other diseases range between 0. The duration of administration depends on the condition being treated, response to the medication, and the development of any adverse effects.
Prednisone and Prednisolone are corticosteroid drugs commonly used to treat allergies, inflammations, autoimmune diseases, and cancers when the underlying cause cannot be treated or prevented in dogs and cats. Prednisone is converted to prednisolone in dogs, but not as well in cats, therefore Prednisolone is preferred in cats.
The immune and inflammation systems of pets and people constitute essential safeguards against infections and disease. However, in some situations, inflammation is dangerous and leads to severe damage in tissues and organs. Similarly, the immune systemoften for no apparent reason, can attack the body and cause great damage or even death. Many of the resultant medical conditions are called autoimmune diseases. There are a number of drugs available to control inflammation and suppress the immune system in animals and people.
Among the most prominent of these are prednisone and prednisolone. These drugs belong to a class of drugs known as glucocorticoids, because they are related to cortisone, and they contain glucose in their molecules. These drugs are also related to the steroid hormones normally produced by the adrenal gland. The effects of glucocorticoids can be observed in every organ system and these drugs should not be used except when necessary.
Prednisone is rapidly converted in the liver to prednisolone. Except in cases of severe liver diseasethe drugs are considered the same equivalent. Prednisone is available in 1 milligram, 2. The injectable forms of prednisone vary. Since prednisone has effects on nearly every body system, the uses of this drug are wide and varied.
While generally safe and effective when prescribed by a veterinarian, prednisone can cause side effects in some animals.
Adverse effects include increased thirst and appetite, panting, vomiting, restlessness, and diarrhea. Some animals may develop stomach ulcers from prednisone use. Long-term use may result in loss of hair coat, weakening of the muscles, liver impairment, and behavioral changes.
Prednisone may interact with other medications. Consult with your veterinarian to determine if other drugs your pet is receiving could interact with prednisone. Such drugs include non-steroidal anti-inflammatories drugs, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, estrogens, diuretics, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, ephedrine, aspirin, amphotericin B, and vaccines.
Extreme care must be taken when stopping prednisone therapy. If an animal has been on prednisone for an extended period of time, slow weaning off the drug is critical to avoid serious complications. Doses of prednisone and prednisolone in dogs and cats vary widely depending on the reason for prescribing. The goal of dosing prednisone and prednisolone is to use what is needed for the shortest period of time possible. In both dogs and cats, anti-inflammatory doses range from 0. Doses for treating other diseases range between 0.
The duration of administration depends on the condition being treated, response to the medication, and the development of any adverse effects. Be certain to complete the prescription unless specifically directed by your veterinarian. Even if your pet feels better, the entire treatment plan should be completed to prevent relapse.
Medication should never be administered without first consulting your veterinarian. Pet insurance can be a safety net for you and your pet, helping your pet care budget go further.
PetPartners, Inc. PetPlace may be compensated when you click on or make a purchase using the links in this article. The following types of cats and dogs should avoid taking prednisone: Animals with known hypersensitivities or allergies to the drug Animals with fungal infections Pregnant animals Prednisone may interact with other medications. Get a free quote from PetPartners today.
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Increased risk of infection. Increased thirst and appetite. The most common side effects include increased drinking, increased urination, and increased appetite. At higher doses and during long-term use, side effects may. Frequent urination. development or worsening of infections (especially bacterial. Why Is My Dog Coughing? Pros Corticosteroids have many positive effects and do a number of wonderful things. Inflammation is one of the hallmarks of asthma and chronic bronchitis and requires regular steroid use for the life of the pet to keep it under control. Prednisone is rapidly converted in the liver to prednisolone.Download the Full Guide to Cat Asthma. Oral and injectable steroids are commonly prescribed to treat certain conditions in cats. However, the problem with these oral steroid medications is that they can have many potential side effects.
Oral corticosteroids often called oral steroids are medications taken by mouth in either liquid or pill form to reduce inflammation. Injectable steroids are similar but are delivered through a needle.
These synthetic corticosteroid medications are meant to resemble a hormone naturally produced in the body called cortisol. Steroid medications are commonly used to treat a variety of conditions in cats, ranging from inflammatory conditions to conditions where the immune system is overactive and the body begins to attack normal, healthy cells. Depending on the severity and nature of the condition, the treatment dose will differ. Some inflammatory conditions steroid medications are used to treat include:.
In higher doses, corticosteroid medications are used to treat overactive immune system immune-mediated conditions such as:. Steroids and their anti-inflammatory properties play an important role in respiratory disease management. They help prevent asthma attacks by suppressing inflammation in the airways which otherwise causes swelling and airway blockages.
Inflammation is one of the hallmarks of asthma and chronic bronchitis and requires regular steroid use for the life of the pet to keep it under control. However, oral and injectable steroids can cause health side effects when used regularly. To mitigate side effects, a preferred alternative to injectable or oral steroids is an inhaled steroid medication.
Inhaled Steroids. Although there are several other forms of corticosteroid medications such as inhaled and injected , the main types of oral steroids prescribed for cats include:.
Injected options include depo-medrol Pfizer, methylprednisone and dexamethasone. These corticosteroids are synthetic and much more potent than steroids naturally occurring in the body and typically last much longer. This combination of strength and length of time that they are active in the body is what can cause the serious side effects when used long term.
While both have similar effects, prednisolone is the metabolized form of prednisone. Prednisone must be metabolized by the liver before it can be used effectively. Cats are not able to absorb and convert prednisone into the active metabolite, prednisolone. This means there is a higher bioavailability of prednisolone—it is absorbed at a higher rate and degree than prednisone.
Oral and injectable medications need to be processed by the body. Once in the bloodstream, they spread throughout the entire body system. Only some of the medication goes to the intended target, the rest could impact other organs as well.
This is why these types of medications are often referred to as systemic steroids. As such, there are many side effects associated with oral and injected steroid use. Short-term side effects are expected soon after a cat begins to take oral and injected corticosteroids. These effects will vary by dose. Long-term side effects are seen over time if a cat has been prescribed long-term treatment with oral corticosteroids. The severity of these effects depends on the dose and duration of treatment.
As prednisone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone are all oral corticosteroids, they have similar short-term and long-term side effects in cats. Short-term effects of oral corticosteroids:.
Long-term effects of oral corticosteroids:. These side effects may reduce the quality of life of not only the affected cat, but also the family relationship. Cats who are lethargic or have a change in behaviour may be unable or unwilling to play and may no longer seem like the cat you knew. In the case of feline asthma, systemic steroids may be used by a vet during an asthma attack. However, because of the many side effects of using oral steroids, they should not be used for long-term disease control.
The goal of systemic steroids is often to get an immediate respiratory response if the cat is in distress. The cat can then be transitioned to inhaled steroids for regular management.
For chronic conditions that require ongoing treatment, this becomes problematic. Because cat asthma and chronic bronchitis are life long conditions, corticosteroids are an important part of daily disease management to keep the airways clear and help cats with these conditions live a normal life. Inhaled corticosteroids are a safer alternative to oral and injectable steroids, lacking the side effects that can be common to systemic steroids.
Inhaled steroids are designed to be used on an ongoing basis for inflammation and symptom control without exposing the cat to the risks of systemic medications. There are two key differences between inhaled and systemic steroids that make them safer:.
Inhaled corticosteroids target the lungs and airways directly. Unlike systemic steroids where only some of the drug reaches the lungs and the rest is spread throughout the body , inhaled steroids go directly to the active site where they are needed. Because Inhaled steroids target the lungs directly, the concentration of steroid can be much less.
Systemic steroids have to be given in much higher concentrations to ensure that an appropriate dose reaches the airways after first being metabolized and then indiscriminately sent throughout the body. Using a substantially lower dose to achieve the same therapeutic effect can significantly lower the risk of harmful side effects.
The typical goals of asthma management are risk reduction and symptom control. According to the Global Initiative for Asthma GINA 7 , the intent of management is to reduce the burden to the patient and to reduce their risk of asthma-related death, exacerbations, airway damage, and medication side-effects. In human children with asthma, inhaled steroids are considered the gold standard treatment for long term disease management.
Systemic steroids are not recommended for daily asthma control. And, just like for children, inhaled steroids are considered safe and effective for cats and are a better option for the management of respiratory conditions. For cat owners, being informed about the side effects of injected and oral corticosteroid use is the first step in ensuring your cat is safe and healthy.
Always be on the lookout for any side effects your cat may be showing after starting these medications. We would love to hear from you. If you have questions or comments about one of our chambers, please reach out to us today.
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This article is part of our Cat Asthma series. Download the Full Guide to Cat Asthma Oral and injectable steroids are commonly prescribed to treat certain conditions in cats.
Some inflammatory conditions steroid medications are used to treat include: Asthma Other Respiratory Conditions Allergies Dermatitis In higher doses, corticosteroid medications are used to treat overactive immune system immune-mediated conditions such as: Inflammatory Bowel Disease IBS Hyperactive immune system Polyarthritis Meningitis Haemolytic anaemia Other immune-mediated conditions 3 Steroids and their anti-inflammatory properties play an important role in respiratory disease management.
Inhaled Steroids Types Of Systemic Steroid Medications For Cats Although there are several other forms of corticosteroid medications such as inhaled and injected , the main types of oral steroids prescribed for cats include: Prednisone Prednisolone Dexamethasone Injected options include depo-medrol Pfizer, methylprednisone and dexamethasone.
The Difference Between Prednisone And Prednisolone While both have similar effects, prednisolone is the metabolized form of prednisone. Side Effects Of Prednisone, Prednisolone, And Dexamethasone In Cats As prednisone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone are all oral corticosteroids, they have similar short-term and long-term side effects in cats.
Oral Vs. Inhaled Steroids For Cats With Asthma: Why Inhaled Steroids Are Considered Safe And Effective Because cat asthma and chronic bronchitis are life long conditions, corticosteroids are an important part of daily disease management to keep the airways clear and help cats with these conditions live a normal life.
There are two key differences between inhaled and systemic steroids that make them safer: 1. Posted in. Questions or Comments? Get in Touch. Contact Us.
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