Prednisone & Other Steroids

Corticosteroids in Veterinary Medicine: Prednisone, Prednisolone, & Dexamethasone for Dogs & Cats

Steroids are a widely used category of medications in veterinary medicine. Common examples include prednisone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone. At lower doses, steroids help reduce inflammation. At higher doses, steroids suppress the immune system and may be used to treat certain brain cancers. Steroids can also help reduce swelling and fluid accumulation in the nervous system, which may provide temporary symptom relief for some neurologic conditions.

Pets taking steroids, especially at higher doses, can experience side effects. These side effects are often more bothersome than dangerous, but long-term or high-dose use can lead to significant complications.

Steroids Dosing & Administration

Give steroids exactly as directed on the prescription label. Most steroid plans use once- or twice-daily dosing, with or without food.

Missed Doses & Changing Medications

If your pet misses a dose of prednisone/prednisolone or similar steroids, give it as soon as you remember unless it’s close to the next scheduled dose time on the prescription label. If it’s close, skip the missed dose and give the next dose at the regular scheduled time. Do not administer double doses.

Do not stop steroid medication suddenly unless your pet’s veterinary team directs you to do so, as many steroid plans require a gradual taper before stopping. Your veterinary team may recommend a different approach for very short steroid courses or if serious side effects occur.

Drug Interactions

Do not give steroids with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ideally, allow several days between NSAIDs and any steroid, or serious gastrointestinal side effects may develop.

NSAIDs include:

  • Rimadyl / Carprofen / Novox / Quellin

  • Metacam / Meloxicam

  • Deramaxx / Deracoxib

  • Etodolac / Etogesic

  • Aspirin

  • Zubrin / Tepoxalin

  • Previcox / Firocoxib

  • Onsior / Robenacoxib

Steroids can also interact with other medications that affect how these drugs are metabolized. Your veterinary team will advise you about any concerning interactions.

Monitoring & Lab Work for Pets on Steroids

Because steroids can significantly affect a pet’s health, schedule regular check-ups. For pets on a stable long-term dose, blood work and urinalysis to monitor for side effects are recommended every three to four months.

Important Side Effects of Steroid Treatment

Contact your veterinarian if any of the following occur:

  • Inappetence: Steroids typically increase hunger. If your pet skips a meal, seek urgent veterinary guidance.

  • Vomiting or diarrhea: Seek immediate attention, especially if there’s black, tar-like material or blood.

  • Skin problems: Call if you see redness, crusting, itching, or sores. Steroids can mask infection severity, and infections may require more aggressive treatment. Rarely, calcinosis cutis can develop.

  • Urinary tract infection indicators: Bad odor or discoloration (brown, red) can indicate a urinary issue. Steroids can conceal many UTI symptoms, so routine urinalysis matters for pets on long-term steroids.

  • Poor healing: Tell your veterinarian if your pet needs surgery or a similar procedure while taking steroids.

  • Diabetes mellitus: Long-term use, especially in cats, can cause or worsen diabetes. Regular blood tests help monitor this risk.

  • Liver changes: Mild or moderate liver swelling and bloodwork changes are common. Serious liver disease can rarely occur with long-term or high-dose use and typically reverses once steroids stop. Regular blood work helps monitor liver health.

  • Heart disease in cats: Prolonged steroid use can lead to congestive heart failure in cats. Effects on dogs with pre-existing heart conditions are not fully understood, so use caution.

  • Behavior changes: Mild changes such as excitement or depression can occur. Contact your veterinarian if severe changes occur, including aggression or mania.

Less Severe Side Effects That Often Improve Over Time

These side effects often lessen as the dose decreases over time. If they become excessive or affect quality of life, contact your veterinary team:

  • Increased appetite

  • Excessive thirst

  • Frequent urination

  • Panting or signs of agitation

  • Slowed hair growth with a thin, dull, or dry coat

  • Weight gain

  • A pot-bellied appearance

  • Muscle loss, especially along the head and spine

Prednisone & Other Steroids FAQs

  • Steroids such as prednisone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone treat a wide range of diseases. Lower doses reduce inflammation, higher doses suppress the immune system, and steroids may be used to treat certain brain cancers. Steroids can also help reduce swelling and fluid accumulation in the nervous system, which may provide temporary symptom relief in some neurologic conditions.

  • Steroids are typically given once or twice daily, with or without food, depending on the prescription label.

  • If your pet misses a dose of Prednisone or a similar steroid, give the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it’s close to the next scheduled dose time on the prescription label. If it’s close, skip the missed dose and give the next dose at the regular scheduled time. Do not administer double doses.

  • No. Do not give steroids with NSAIDs. Ideally, allow several days between NSAIDs and any steroid to help reduce the risk of serious gastrointestinal side effects.

  • For pets on a stable long-term dose, blood work and urinalysis to monitor for side effects are recommended every three to four months.