Dog Health Risks From Overmedication

Dog health conditions can often be treated with life-saving drugs. However, some drugs can also unfortunately take lives. Whether it's humans or in animals, medication can be appropriately taken to cure or treat an illness or they can be over-prescribed or misused.

The corticosteroid, prednisone is one drug in particular that is unfortunately frequently misused in veterinary medicine to treat dog health problems.

What is Prednisone?
Prednisone is a synthetic form of the hormone, cortisol. Cortisol plays an important role in regulating the metabolism of macronutrients, like carbohydrates, proteins and fats. In addition, in both humans and pets, it has a strong anti-inflammatory effect and works to suppress an overactive immune system.

How does it help dogs?
Prednisone is used to treat a variety of dog health conditions such as autoimmune disorder, joint problems, excessive itching, allergies or renal/kidney conditions. It can be administered as an injection or in a capsule form.

What are the risks?
Prednisone can have beneficial short-term results. For instance, it can help a dog who has lost his appetite due to cancer or age and is suffering from poor dog nutrition, regain its appetite. But prednisone can also cause some very serious long-term side effects and dog health risks.

Dogs treated with prednisone are more susceptible to infection because the drug acts on the immune system, suppressing its ability to fight off pathogens and viruses. In addition, because of its effects on the adrenal and endocrine systems, dogs often experience excessive hunger or thirst and may even experience an increase of renal symptoms even if they are receiving adequate dog nutrition or are being given dog vitamins and dog supplements.

When prednisone is used indiscriminately for prolonged periods of time, permanent or chronic dog health conditions such as digestive ulcers, diabetes, muscle degeneration, behavioral changes and inflammation may occur.

Perhaps the most serious threat of prednisone is the development of fatal diseases like Cushings Disease (hyperadrenocorticism) and Addison's disease. These conditions occur when the drug is taken for too long or in large doses.

What should you do?
If your veterinarian prescribed prednisone to your dog, it is important to discuss with him the health concerns associated with the drug. Also, ask your vet about other treatment options or investigate alternative treatment forms on your own such as natural dog supplements or dog vitamins to strengthen your pet's body systems. While these other options may take longer to alleviate symptoms or may require a change in diet, activity level, or environmental factors, they are most likely safer and will work in support of your dog's health, not against it.

Moreover, if you are looking for an alternative to treating allergies, you may want to consider adjusting your dog's diet rather than turning directly to medication. By feeding your dog healthy natural dog food, organic dog food, or even homemade dog food, you may be able to alleviate some of their allergies. If you are not already feeding your pet natural dog food or organic dog food, you may want to discuss new options with your vet. He can also recommend a healthy dog supplement or dog vitamins that can support your pet's immune system.

By providing your pet with a better diet and alternative treatment options, you can reduce their risk of overmedication from potentially dangerous drugs like prednisone.