Key facts at a glance
- Cortisone is an endogenous hormone that is made in the adrenal cortex
- There are different types of therapy. Which must be strictly adhered to along with the veterinarian.
- Side effects include increased appetite and drinking more.
What is cortisone?
Cortisone is an endogenous hormone that is produced in the adrenal cortex and performs various functions in the body. Among other things, it is involved in sugar metabolism, the regulation of water balance and the immune system.
Cortisone is essential for both dogs and humans. The pituitary gland is responsible for controlling production. If there are disturbances in cortisone production, this has serious consequences that can range from chronic fatigue to hair loss and infections.
The cortisone itself is inactive. It has no effect in the dog’s organism until it is converted into its active form, cortisol.
Possible uses of cortisone in dogs
Cortisone can be used in dogs to treat various diseases. The hormone is particularly often prescribed for acute and chronic inflammation. This can be, for example, inflammation of organs or joints.
Depending on the exact composition, cortisone is divided into four durations of action:
- Ultra-short-term cortisone works for up to eight hours and is used, for example, in accidents.
- Short-term cortisone works between 24 and 36 hours.
- Medium-acting cortisone has a duration of action of up to 10 days.
- Long-term cortisone is effective for up to three months.
For most of the diseases, therapy with short or medium-acting cortisone is sufficient. In some cases, however, chronic diseases or allergies also require the administration of long-term cortisone.
Cortisone side effects in dogs
The administration of cortisone has, among other things, effects on the water and sugar balance of the dog. The typical side effects therefore include an increased appetite and increased drinking. As soon as the cortisone is discontinued in the dog, both usually reduce again on their own.
Short-term cortisone only leads to serious side effects in exceptional cases. However, if your dog suffers from diabetes, the administration of cortisone is associated with particular risks. Because it is possible that the hormone therapy drives up the blood sugar level significantly. For this reason, you should inform your veterinarian about the disease when planning treatment with cortisone and make sure that the blood sugar level is checked regularly.
More serious side effects with long-term therapy
Significant side effects in dogs usually only occur with long-term therapy with cortisone. This includes, among other things, the increased storage of fat and water, which leads to weight gain. Since the cortisone impairs the dog’s calcium-phosphorus balance, the risk of the cartilage becoming soft and the animal’s bones becoming brittle also increases.
In addition, the dog’s skin becomes thinner and thinner over time and the coat loses its shine. Due to a weakening of the immune system caused by the cortisone, the treated dog’s susceptibility to infections also increases. For these reasons, long-term therapy with cortisone in dogs is often avoided, or the dose is kept as low as possible.
Tips for using cortisone in dogs
If the vet prescribes cortisone for your sick dog, there are a few things you can do to help the therapy run smoothly.
We recommend that you follow these tips:
- Be aware of the increased fluid requirement and provide your dog with enough water.
- Regular walks ensure that the thirsty animal does not relieve itself in the house.
- Leave the amount of food unchanged to avoid unwanted weight gain during cortisone therapy.
- In the case of long-term therapy, regular examinations by the veterinarian are important in order to notice side effects promptly.
- Long-term cortisone should be discontinued gradually so that the dog’s body learns to produce enough cortisone again.
Cortisone in dogs – our conclusion
Even if therapy with cortisone in dogs is viewed critically by many owners, it is the only promising treatment option for some diseases. Significant side effects usually only occur with long-term therapy, while administration over a short period of time usually does not cause any major symptoms.
Of course, the decision is ultimately up to you. But if the vet advises you to treat your dog with cortisone, there are usually good reasons for this. And usually the consequences of the disease to be treated outweigh the possible side effects that the cortisone can cause in your dog.
will pay for the treatment Of course, treating your dog with cortisone will incur costs. This is especially true for long-term therapies, where you not only have to pay for the medication, but also for regular veterinary check-ups. Would you like to protect yourself from these costs? Then you should take out dog health insurance. Calculate your premium now and send us your application directly online.