Introduction
Prednisone is a prescription steroid medication used to treat various inflammatory conditions in dogs. It helps suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation. A common side effect of prednisone in dogs is increased panting and thirst. This article will examine why prednisone causes panting in dogs, looking at the effects on fluid retention, metabolism, and other factors.
What is Prednisone?
Prednisone is a synthetic glucocorticoid steroid that is used to treat various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions in both human and veterinary medicine (https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601102.html). Glucocorticoids are hormones produced by the adrenal gland that help regulate glucose metabolism, immune function, and inflammation. Prednisone is a prescription medication that mimics the effects of naturally produced glucocorticoids in the body.
In veterinary medicine, prednisone is commonly prescribed to treat conditions like allergies, arthritis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain types of cancer in dogs and cats. It works by reducing inflammation and immune system activity, which can help manage disease symptoms. Prednisone is available in tablet, liquid, and injectable formulations for use in veterinary patients.
The main uses of prednisone in dogs include suppressing the immune system, decreasing inflammation, managing endocrine disorders like Cushing’s disease, and as part of chemotherapy protocols for certain cancers like lymphoma. Prednisone helps manage these conditions by altering the dog’s immune response and reducing excessive inflammation associated with disease (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534809/).
Normal Dog Panting
Panting is a normal behavior for dogs that helps them regulate their body temperature. Dogs pant to evaporate moisture from their tongues, trachea, and lungs, which cools the blood before it circulates through their body.
The most common trigger for panting in dogs is thermoregulation. Dogs do not have functional sweat glands like humans, so they rely on panting to lower their core body temperature when they get hot. Increased panting is a way for dogs to cool down on hot days or after exercise or play.
Dogs may also pant from exertion or stress. Mild to moderate panting is common when a dog is actively playing, running, or engaging in physical activity. This panting allows them to cope with the increased metabolic demands of exercise. Dogs may also pant when feeling anxious or stressed. Panting can be a self-soothing behavior during stressful situations like car rides, separation anxiety, or a visit to the vet.
Overall, mild to moderate panting is very normal for dogs and not a cause for alarm. It simply indicates thermoregulation, exertion, or stress/anxiety. However, panting that is excessive or occurs even at rest may signify an underlying medical issue.
Prednisone’s Effects on the Body
Prednisone is a corticosteroid medication commonly used to treat inflammatory conditions and suppress the immune system (Mayo Clinic, 2022). It works by mimicking the effects of cortisol, the body’s natural stress hormone. When taken at higher doses, prednisone causes several effects on the body that can lead to increased panting in dogs:
- Increases cortisol – Prednisone raises cortisol levels, which regulates metabolism and stress response. The excess cortisol can increase panting as the dog’s metabolism speeds up (NCBI, 2022).
- Suppresses immune system – By suppressing the immune system, prednisone reduces inflammation but also decreases the body’s ability to regulate temperature. This can cause dogs to pant more easily (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
- Causes electrolyte imbalances – Prednisone frequently leads to low potassium and high sodium levels. Electrolyte disturbances affect normal body functions like temperature regulation, potentially increasing panting (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
These wide-ranging effects of prednisone on the endocrine and immune systems are key reasons why prednisone usage often leads to increased panting in dogs as their bodies try to cool down and cope with the drug’s impacts.
Fluid Retention
One of the main side effects of prednisone is fluid retention, also known as edema (1). This is because prednisone causes the kidneys to retain sodium and water in the body (2). Sodium is an electrolyte that controls water balance in the cells. When sodium levels increase, the body holds onto more water, leading to swelling and fluid buildup (3).
Prednisone stimulates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which regulates fluid and electrolyte balance. This system detects low blood volume and conserves sodium and water to increase fluid retention (2). Prednisone also increases levels of insulin and vasopressin, hormones that promote sodium retention and edema (3).
The extent of fluid retention depends on the prednisone dose. Higher doses typically cause more sodium and water retention. The swelling is usually most noticeable in the face, ankles, legs, hands and feet (1). Patients may experience rapid weight gain of 2-10 pounds due to fluid accumulation (2). Thus, prednisone fluid retention is a common side effect responsible for weight gain and a puffy appearance.
Sources:
(1) https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-can-i-lose-prednisone-weight-gain-1942985
(2) https://health.clevelandclinic.org/8-prednisone-side-effects-how-to-minimize-them
(3) https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/ild-nutrition-manual-prednisone-and-weight-gain
Panting from Fluid Buildup
One of the main reasons prednisone causes panting in dogs is because it leads to fluid retention and buildup in the body. Prednisone is a corticosteroid medication that has strong anti-inflammatory effects. However, it also comes with the side effect of causing the kidneys to retain sodium and water 1.
This fluid retention can occur throughout the body, but is especially problematic when it builds up in the lungs and abdomen. Excess fluid in the lungs is called pulmonary edema, while fluid in the abdomen is called ascites 2. Both of these conditions make it more difficult for the dog to breathe properly.
As fluid accumulates in the lungs, it fills the air sacs and restricts the amount of oxygen that can enter the bloodstream. Meanwhile, abdominal fluid pushes up on the diaphragm, which further limits lung expansion and breath capacity. The dog compensates by panting rapidly in an attempt to get more air in and out of the constricted lungs 3.
Therefore, the fluid retention and buildup caused by prednisone directly leads to increased panting as the dog struggles to breathe against the pressure from accumulating fluid in the chest and abdomen.
Increased Metabolism
One of the main effects of prednisone is that it increases the body’s basal metabolic rate [1]. This means the body’s metabolism ramps up and starts burning calories at a faster rate even when the body is at rest. The increase in metabolic activity generates excess heat that the dog’s body then needs to dissipate to prevent overheating. Panting is an effective way for dogs to cool down since evaporating moisture from the mouth and tongue area helps lower body temperature. Therefore, prednisone can cause panting in dogs as their metabolism accelerates and produces more body heat that needs to be cooled.
Panting to Cool Down
Dogs primarily pant to help cool themselves down (https://www.petmd.com/dog/behavior/evr_dg_why_do_dogs_pant). When a dog gets overheated, they pant to evaporate moisture from their tongues, mouths, and lungs, which helps lower their body temperature. This is necessary because dogs don’t have sweat glands like humans do.
Prednisone can cause dogs to pant more than usual because it increases their metabolism (https://www.kingsdale.com/the-complete-guide-to-dog-panting-and-why-it-happens). This extra metabolic activity generates more body heat, which means the dog needs to pant more to stay cool. Even minor temperature increases or activity can cause a dog on prednisone to get hot and start heavily panting to cool off again. So prednisone doesn’t directly make dogs pant, but it does increase their body temperature and need for cooling down, leading to more panting.
Other Causes
In addition to fluid retention and increased metabolism, prednisone can cause other effects that lead to panting in dogs. Prednisone is a corticosteroid that mimics the effects of cortisol, the body’s natural stress hormone. This can lead to anxiety and restlessness in some dogs, resulting in increased panting (Prednisone for Dogs: Uses, Side Effects, Helpful Tips).
Long-term use of prednisone can also cause a condition called hyperadrenocorticism or Cushing’s disease. This is caused by overstimulation of the adrenal glands leading to excessive cortisol production. The cortisol causes increased thirst, urination, appetite and panting (Steroid Treatment – Effects in Dogs – VCA Animal Hospitals).
In rare cases, prednisone can cause liver enzymes to increase and liver damage. Liver disease can cause fluid buildup and inadequate oxygenation of tissues, also resulting in increased panting in dogs (Prednisone (Prednisolone) for Dogs: Side Effects, Dosage).
Conclusion
In summary, prednisone can cause panting in dogs for a few key reasons. The steroid can lead to fluid retention and edema, which puts pressure on the lungs and makes it more difficult for dogs to breathe normally. To compensate, dogs pant excessively to take in more air. Prednisone also increases metabolism, generating more body heat. Dogs pant to cool themselves down and prevent overheating. While panting is a common side effect of prednisone, there can be other causes as well, like pain, anxiety, heart conditions, and respiratory disease. Overall, prednisone’s effects on fluid balance and metabolism are the primary reasons the drug often leads to heavy panting in canine patients.