Prednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid steroid commonly used in cats as an anti-inflammatory or to treat immune-mediated disorders.
Overview of Prednisolone for Felines
Do I need a prescription? :
Yes
Common name:
prednisone, prednisolone
In this article, you will learn what prednisolone is, some of the conditions in which it may be used in cats, and the side effects to be aware of.
What are steroids?
A steroid is an organic compound, and there are hundreds of steroid compounds found in nature. Steroids form the structure of cells. For example, cholesterol is a steroid that forms the structure of cell walls.
Steroids also act as hormones that act as signal messengers in the body. Most people are familiar with steroid hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.
Anabolic steroids are steroids that work in the body to increase muscle and bone growth. These are the guys we often associate with professional bodybuilders.
The third class of steroids is corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are involved in a variety of functions in the body, including stress response, immune response, regulation of inflammation, etc.
There are natural corticosteroids that the body produces, such as cortisol, and synthetic, man-made steroids, such as prednisolone.
What does prednisolone do to cats?
In lower doses, prednisolone can be used as an anti-inflammatory drug. For example, a cat with a red, itchy skin infection may benefit from an anti-inflammatory course of prednisolone to reduce inflammation and itching while antibiotics resolve the infection.
In higher doses, prednisolone can treat diseases caused by an overactive immune system by suppressing its effects. This can include conditions such as feline asthma, caused by the immune system’s response to airborne allergens, and inflammatory bowel disease, caused by the immune system’s response to food allergens.
Prednisone vs Prednisolone
You may wonder why reading about prednisolone when prednisone is more common. You might also wonder if the two are basically the same thing. The short answer is they are…but they are not.
Prednisone and prednisolone work in the same way on the body. This is because prednisone is quickly converted to prednisolone by the liver in most species. But some animal species, including horses and cats, cannot effectively absorb prednisone or convert prednisone to prednisolone.
So that’s why, while we often use prednisone on dogs, we should only use prednisone on cats.
Prednisolone Side Effects in Cats
Cats tolerate steroids better than dogs, and we see fewer side effects in kittens. However, there are some important things to be aware of, especially for kittens on high doses of prednisolone.
increased thirst
Occasionally, pet parents may observe their cats drink more water after taking prednisolone, followed by a need to urinate more. You may find yourself refilling the water bowl more often and cleaning out larger urine clumps in the litter box.
increase appetite
Steroids can also cause an increase in appetite, which can lead to weight gain. For some conditions that cause weight loss, such as inflammatory bowel disease, weight gain is desirable, but this is not always the case, so weight should be closely monitored.
indigestion
Steroids may cause indigestion in some cats, and if this occurs, some loose stools or diarrhea are common.
Independent long-term effects of prednisolone treatment were also seen.
Steroids cause blood sugar to rise in most animals, but the effect appears to be more pronounced in cats. For this reason, steroids should be used with caution in overweight cats at risk for diabetes and should not be used in cats with diabetes because steroid use can interfere with blood glucose regulation.
Long-term use of high doses of steroids can also lead to more serious side effects such as thinning hair and, ironically, secondary skin problems.
This, combined with other effects such as excessive alcohol consumption, urination and appetite, can be classified as a condition known as iatrogenic hyperadrenalism or anabolic steroid-induced Cushing’s disease. Fortunately, the effects are reversible if the steroid is stopped.
Finally, while the exact details are still being debated, cats are generally believed to be at risk for heart disease, and taking steroids can lead to heart failure.
This seems to rarely happen in cats with no signs or symptoms of heart disease. Steroids should be used with extreme caution in any cat with known heart disease.
As with any drug, the benefits of using prednisolone must outweigh the potential risks, especially when used long-term.
Prednisolone for cats: Dosage
Steroids such as prednisolone come in a wide range of doses, depending on the condition being treated. Lower doses work to address inflammation, while higher doses suppress the immune system. Cats often require higher doses of prednisolone than dogs taking prednisone.
Because of the high variability in dosage, your veterinarian should decide what dosage of prednisolone is best for your kitten.
in conclusion
Steroids like prednisolone are very useful drugs because of their wide range of doses and effects. They are necessary to control some of the inflammatory and immune-mediated conditions we see in cats.
Cats are more resistant to the side effects of steroids than dogs. Steroids are also attractive options as anti-inflammatory agents, especially given our very limited ability to use NSAIDs in cats.
Nonetheless, steroids must be used judiciously and cautiously under the supervision of a veterinarian. Also, keep in mind that only prednisOLONE and not prednisONE should be used for cats. So if you have a dog in the house, don’t share any steroids prescribed for your puppy (or yourself) with your kitten.
frequently asked questions
How long does it take for prednisolone to work in cats?
Generally, cats with inflammation will see improvement within a day or two of prednisolone treatment. For more complex or immune-mediated conditions, it may take longer to noticeable improvement, but usually still takes a few days.
What does prednisolone do to cats?
Prednisolone is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive drug in cats.
Inflammatory conditions may include any number of skin conditions, inflammation from injury, or inflammation from arthritis.
Immune-mediated diseases are actually damage caused to the body by the immune system in response to an initiating cause such as an allergen, and may include feline asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune diseases such as immune-mediated hemolytic anemia , autoimmune skin diseases, etc.
Prednisolone is also used to treat and manage certain types of cancer, especially lymphoma.
What are the side effects of prednisolone in cats?
The most common short-term effects in cats may include increased water intake, urination, and appetite. Some cats may also experience mild symptoms of indigestion, such as diarrhea.
Over longer periods of time, and especially at higher doses, we can see these short-term effects combined with longer-term effects such as weight gain, hair thinning, and sleepiness.
Steroids should be used with caution in overweight cats as they can cause further weight gain. They may also raise blood sugar in cats more than other animal species, which may put overweight cats already at risk for diabetes at higher risk.
Prednisolone should also be used with caution in cats at risk for heart disease. Since many cats at risk for heart disease show no obvious signs of abnormality, your veterinarian may recommend screening tests, especially if long-term prednisolone use is being considered.
Alternatives to prednisolone therapy should be considered in cats diagnosed with diabetes or known cardiac disease.
How Much Prednisolone Can You Give Your Cat?
As with all steroids, there is a wide range of dosages for prednisolone, depending on its intended use. That’s why your veterinarian should determine the best dosage and regimen for your cat based on the condition being treated.
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