Prednisone/Prednisolone for Pets in 2025 💊

Prednisone and prednisolone are commonly prescribed glucocorticoids in veterinary medicine. These powerful medications reduce inflammation, control autoimmune disorders, treat allergic skin issues, and more. I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, and this 2025 guide explains when and how these steroids are used, plus tips to minimize side effects 🐾

🧬 What Are Glucocorticoids?

Glucocorticoids are “catabolic” steroids—unlike muscle-building anabolic steroids. They help break down stored sugars, fats, and proteins for fuel during stress. In veterinary care, they’re mostly used for their:

• 🔥 Anti-inflammatory properties (e.g. arthritis, allergies)
• 🛡️ Immune-suppressive effects (e.g. autoimmune disease)
• 🧬 Anti-cancer activity (e.g. lymphoma, mast cell tumors)
• 🧠 Neuro support (e.g. brain swelling or spinal injury)
• 📉 Calcium-lowering in high-calcium blood disorders
• 🩺 Hormone replacement in Addison’s disease

💊 Differences Between Prednisone & Prednisolone

• 🧪 Prednisone is converted by the liver into prednisolone
• 🐱 Cats have poor conversion—prednisolone is preferred
• 🧬 Dogs can use either form effectively

📋 Available Forms

• 💊 Prednisone: 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 50 mg tablets
• 💊 Prednisolone: 5 mg and 20 mg tablets
• 🧴 Prednisone oral syrup also available

⚠️ Side Effects

Common (short- or long-term):

• 💧 Increased thirst and urination
• 🍽️ Increased appetite
• 😟 Panting (especially in dogs)
• 📈 Weight gain and elevated cholesterol

Serious (especially with long-term use):

• 🧬 Suppressed adrenal gland function (requires taper)
• 🦴 Bone loss or muscle wasting
• 🩸 Stomach ulcers or GI bleeding
• 🧠 Worsening of latent infections
• 🧪 High blood sugar or steroid-induced diabetes

Note: Steroids should not be used with NSAIDs due to serious risk of GI bleeding.

⏱️ Dosing Guidelines

• 📅 Doses may be daily, tapering to every other day for chronic use
• 📉 Goal: Use lowest effective dose for shortest time
• 🚫 Do NOT stop abruptly—can cause adrenal crisis

🔄 Drug Interactions

• ⚠️ Increased bleeding risk with NSAIDs (e.g. carprofen, meloxicam)
• ⬇️ Potassium loss when combined with furosemide (Lasix®)
• 🧪 May interfere with allergy or thyroid testing

📲 Use Caution In...

• 🧬 Diabetic patients (can trigger or worsen diabetes)
• 🐾 Pregnant animals (can cause abortion or birth defects)
• 🫀 Heart failure patients (due to salt retention)
• 📉 Pets with fungal or viral infections

🧪 Monitoring & Lab Work

• 🩺 Periodic bloodwork for long-term use (liver, glucose, cortisol)
• 🔍 Watch for signs of GI bleeding, infection, or diabetes

📲 Ask a Vet If...

• 📞 You see vomiting, dark stools, or sudden behavior change
• 📋 You’re unsure how to taper the dose safely
• 💡 You want to explore safer alternatives for allergy or joint support

Use the Ask A Vet app for expert support with chronic steroid use, tapering schedules, and safer combo therapy planning 💬

✅ Summary

• ✔️ Prednisone and prednisolone are powerful, widely used anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications
• ✔️ Used for allergies, autoimmune disease, cancer, and hormone replacement
• ⚠️ Side effects increase with long-term use and high doses
• ✔️ Always taper—never stop suddenly
• 📋 Avoid NSAIDs and monitor closely in chronic cases

When used carefully, these glucocorticoids are life-changing—but need close veterinary oversight to be safe 💛

— Dr Duncan Houston BVSc