Budesonide (Entocord) for Pets in 2025: Vet Guide to Safer Steroid Use for IBD & Asthma 🐶🐱💊

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc
Updated July 2025

💡 Budesonide, also known under brand names like Entocord and Uceris, is a corticosteroid designed to target intestinal inflammation (or asthma in inhaled form) with limited systemic side effects. As of 2025, this drug remains a vital option for pets intolerant of traditional steroids like prednisone—this guide dives into how and when to use it effectively and safely.

📚 What Is Budesonide & How It Works

• A corticosteroid with strong anti-inflammatory action (≈15× potency of prednisolone).
• Oral microsized capsules designed to deliver steroid to the gut lining before being rapidly degraded by the liver.
• Provides “topical” effect in intestines while minimizing systemic absorption—ideal for IBD management.

🎯 Why It Matters in 2025

Many pets with inflammatory bowel disease experience GI upset, weight loss, and discomfort. Traditional steroids work, but bring systemic side effects. Budesonide offers a preferable alternative—though vigilance is still required.

✅ Indications & Forms

• Oral Treatment: IBD and colitis with poor tolerance to prednisolone.
• Inhaled Form: Feline asthma (e.g., via inhaler/adapter).
• Capsules available in 3 mg and 9 mg, often compounded into smaller doses or liquid for precision in pets.

⚙️ Dosing & Administration

• Usually prescribed once daily, dosage based on weight and condition severity.
• Must be swallowed whole—not crushed or opened—to ensure targeted delivery.
• Small-pet doses often require compounding pharmacy.
• If a dose is missed, give when remembered, maintaining spacing of subsequent doses.

⚠️ Side Effects to Monitor

• Mild systemic signs: increased appetite, thirst, urination.
• Signs of Cushing’s disease: pot-bellied appearance, hair thinning, skin fragility.
• Diabetes risk, especially in cats prone to insulin resistance.
• Absorption can increase with severe IBD—monitor for systemic steroid side effects.

ℹ️ Drug Interactions & Warnings

• Liver enzyme inhibitors (erythromycin, cimetidine, ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, diltiazem) can increase budesonide levels → elevated steroid effects.
• Contraindicated during pregnancy.
• Use caution in pets with liver disease—metabolism may be reduced.

📋 Vet & Owner Checklist

• ✓ Confirm diagnosis of moderate-to-severe IBD or feline asthma resistance.
• ✓ Prefer budesonide for pets with prior steroid intolerance or comorbidities.
• ✓ Ensure capsules are not tampered with—maintains targeted delivery.
• ✓ Monitor for system-wide steroid effects—track appetite, weight, skin/hair changes.
• ✓ Review all medications for potential liver interaction.

📲 Ask A Vet App Support

The Ask A Vet app delivers essential support when managing budesonide therapy:

• 💊 Dosing reminders to ensure daily compliance.
• 🩺 Symptom tracker for signs like thirst, hunger, hair loss, lethargy.
• 🚨 Alerts for missing doses, changes in symptoms, or unusual side effects.
• 📋 Quick vet-check messaging to discuss concerns without delay.

🔍 Why Choose Budesonide in 2025?

• Provides targeted GI inflammation control while minimizing whole-body steroid burden.
• Critical in pets that can’t tolerate standard steroids.
• Still powerful—requires proper dosing and monitoring to prevent side effects.
• Companion tools like Ask A Vet help ensure safe home management.

🏁 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

• Budesonide remains a go-to option for certain pets with IBD or asthma in 2025.
• Tick off boxes: proper capsule use, liver-friendly drug review, symptom surveillance, and tracking tools.
• Understand that systemic effects may emerge—especially in severe disease or drug interactions.

🐾💊 With smart use, budesonide delivers effective relief for GI and respiratory inflammation—while vastly reducing systemic side effects. And with Ask A Vet integration, pet owners can manage therapy confidently and safely.