Common Dog Medication with their uses and Side Effects

Common Dog Medication

There was a time when dogs would get sick and all we could do was wait for them to get better or die. There was no form of medication to help these dogs recover. With the improvements in technology and rising awareness for the safety of our canine friend, there are some types of medication for every dog disease there is.

In this article, I am going to discuss two of some very common dog medication that the doctor may have prescribed for you, their uses and potential side effects. These medications include Melatonin and Prednisone for dogs.


To begin with, Prednisone is actually a steroid. There have been a lot of bad stories these days about steroids since they are being misused by athletes. However, prednisone for dogs has a lot of benefits and is used to treat numerous diseases in dogs.

Your veterinarian may have prescribed Prednisone for your dog if it’s ailing from Addison’s disease, inflammation, and arthritis.

Prednisone for dogs is not synthesized by the body naturally but it’s created to conduct the same functions as Cortisol. Produced by the Adrenal gland, Cortisol is an essential adrenal hormone that moderates immune responses, regulates blood pressure, anti-inflammatory actions and glucose levels in the blood.

Uses of Prednisone for Dogs

Treating Addison’s disease: Addison’s disease is a disease that affects the adrenal cortex which is responsible for the production of adrenocorticotropic hormone. This disease makes the adrenal cortex to produce insufficient amounts of the adrenocorticotropic hormone. Prednisone for dogs is mainly used for treating this disease. Some major systems for this disease are diarrhea, reduced blood volume and vomiting. Prednisone for dogs helps to treat this disease by reducing its severity and conducting the functions of Cortisol.

Here is a list of other diseases that Prednisone can be used to treat:-

  1. Arthritis
  2. Lupus
  3. Asthma
  4. Cancer
  5. Shock

Possible Side Effects Associated with Prednisone

If you have any concerns about the use of Prednisone for your dog, it’s advisable to consult your vet.  If your dog has used other medications or supplements, they may alter the functioning of Prednisone to treat your dog.

Various dogs respond differently to Prednisone but there are major side effects of Prednisone for dogs to look out for. Within the first few days, the dog may start vomiting, losing strength, escalated thirst and hunger, and skin infections. As always, when side effects kick in, call your Vet and have him or her find a solution which could either be a change in dosage or recommending an alternative treatment.

Vomiting, loss of strength and skin infections are just the short term effects. Prednisone for dogs has some long term side effects. Prednisone can cause Canine Urinary tract infection which causes blood in their urine, pain during urination and difficulties in urination. Prednisone increases hunger in dogs which leads to obesity since they tend to eat more than they should. Prednisone is also known to cause Canine Diabetes and Hair loss.

Additional Information of Prednisone Medicine

The preferred dosage for prednisone for dogs 2.5 mg for 10 lbs or 4.5 kgs, also, in order to minimize the side effects consult your vet at every step and don’t hesitate to change medication when necessary. Prednisone should only be administered for a few months, anything past that should be administered with a lot of precautions.


Melatonin is another significant medication that is often prescribed for dogs. Melatonin for dogs works the same way it does on humans. In case you’re wondering, Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in animals and also in humans. It regulates the circadian rhythms of our body. That is, when to sleep and when to wake up. Reduction of Melatonin leads to insomnia which isn’t the best feeling especially for dogs.

Uses of Melatonin for Dogs

1. Treating Anxiety: There are two types of anxiety that affect dogs, general anxiety and separation anxiety. The separation form of anxiety happens mostly when the owner of the dog leaves home. Other forms of anxiety can be caused by loud noises such as thunderstorms. Melatonin for dogs acts like a sedative, helping the dog to cool down and be calm in anxious situations.

2. Alopecia: Alopecia or hair loss is a common disorder in dogs which leads to the dog losing part or all of its hair. Alopecia affects the dog’s immune and lymphatic system. Melatonin can be used to treat Alopecia.

3. Sleeping difficulties: Sleeping problems are common as dogs are growing old. Lack of sleep makes it uncomfortable for the dog. As I mentioned earlier, Melatonin helps in regulating the circadian rhythm make sure the dogs have enough time to sleep and know when to wake up.

If your dog has low Melatonin levels, Melatonin for dogs supplements can help boost these levels hence solving the sleeping problem.

4. Treating Cushing’s disease: Cushing’s disease is a condition caused excess production of cortisol hormone. It’s caused by benign tumors in the pituitary gland. Some symptoms of Cushing’s disease include insomnia, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Medication for Cushing’s disease is known to have severe side effects on the dog. However, Melatonin for dogs, when applied to the right dosage, can help ease the symptoms of Cushing’s disease.

Potential Side Effects of Melatonin for Dogs

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone therefore, side effects are rare. However, some Melatonin for dog’s supplements contains some harmful added ingredients such as Xylitol which is toxic for dogs.  For diabetic dogs, Melatonin can cause resistance to insulin. Other side effects are drowsiness and rapid heart rate.

Additional information of Melatonin Medicine

You should consult your veterinarian for the proper dosage of Melatonin for your dog.

Final Line

Dogs suffer from various diseases; deficiencies and allergies just like humans. Nowadays, dogs are able to get good medical care thanks to the advancements in technology. This article helps you understand some of the most common medications that your vet may prescribe for your dog and their possible effects to your dog. Prednisone and Melatonin are widely used medications for dogs and they treat a wide variety of diseases.

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