Can dogs get side effects from cortisone?

What are the most common short-term side effects of cortisone in dogs?

When your dog has cortisone it may experience some short-term side effects. Exactly which side effects the dog gets and how serious they are depends on several factors such as the disease to be treated, the dose, how long the dog has been on cortisone and any other medication.

Short-term symptoms include:

• Increased thirst and urination
• Increased appetite
• The dog often begins to pant more with increased breathing
• Changed behaviour, for example, the energy level of some dogs can change, which can be interpreted as anxiety
• Any infection may break out or an existing one may worsen
• Vomiting or nausea

If some of these side effects occur, they can often be eliminated by reducing the dose of the cortisone treatment. In some cases, your veterinarian may prescribe a different type of cortisone that may cause fewer of the side effects described above. The goal is to use as little cortisone as possible and with as few side effects as possible so that the treatment is still effective.

Cortisone is similar to the body's own cortisol, which means that its own production decreases during a long-term treatment. Therefore, you cannot suddenly stop a cortisone treatment, but it must be done gradually.

What are some of the most common long-term side effects of cortisone in dogs?

Some diseases and medical conditions require long-term treatment with cortisone. When cortisone needs to be prescribed for more than 3-4 months, new side effects can cause problems. The most common are:

• Increased risk of bacterial infections. As cortisone inhibits the immune system and reduces the body's inflammation system, the risk of infections such as urinary tract infections increases, the symptoms of which are not as clear.
• Thinner skin and a thinner and "tirier" coat
• Development of calluses or spots on the skin
• Increased susceptibility to fungal infections (especially in the nose)
• Less ability to heal wounds
• Development of obesity due to increased hunger
• Muscle tissue atrophies and thus produces weaker muscles
• Lower fertility and some bitches have irregular heats
• Greater risk of developing diabetes

How long does it take for cortisone to leave the dog's body?

When the dog stops eating cortisone, the side effects are usually temporary and eventually disappear.

When should I contact the vet?

If you feel that your dog is showing symptoms of side effects of cortisone, contact your vet.

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