In the same way that synthetic corticosteroids are the go-to prescription for joint problems in dogs (and humans) to reduce inflammation, allergy sufferers are also often prescribed the drug. And in the same way that yucca can help joint inflammation, it can also help relieve the inflammatory processes surrounding allergies.
Alternatives to Prednisone for Itching Dogs
Since steroids first hit the market in 1949, many vets have used them as the best alternative treatment for dogs with itchy skin. They have become so popular that some clients expect to come into the vet clinic and get “that allergy shot.”
Why do we use them so much? Well, one reason is that they do work. Prednisone and other steroids are quick solutions and often provide almost immediate relief. They are not a cure, however, and there are many problems and side effects associated with them. You may be wondering:
What are the problems that can hurt your dog when prednisone is used?
Are there alternatives so that you can avoid those side effects?
Many dogs drink more on prednisone. Since prednisone affects your dogs ability to control the water level in his body, he will drink more, and then he will have to urinate more. When a previously house-trained dog has to go in the middle of the night and no one will let her out, accidents do happen.
Dogs are hungrier. Prednisone stimulates the appetite and dogs will want to eat all of the time. They do not burn up more calories, however, so weight gain is a problem.
Your dog might mope around. One side effect you might notice is that your dog does not want to get up and go for a walk. His back legs might be weak from muscle wastage, or he just may be lacking in energy.
Some dogs pant a lot. This is a common complaint for those people that allow their dogs to sleep in their bed.
A dogs skin problem can actually grow worse. Dogs might be treated for an itching problem and then start losing hair, develop blackheads, thin skin, or even a large area of hairless and scaly skin known as “calcinosis cutis.”
The dog in the video above has a disease that mimics the side effects of long-term prednisone dosing in the dog.
Other side effects include:
Your dog may develop new infections. Since prednisone depresses the immune system, some dogs will come up with an infection in the bladder or the gums.
Dogs vomit and may have other GI upsets. This is not as common as the increased thirst and hunger, but when it happens it can be serious.
Dogs may also have behavioral problems or uncommon reactions that are not included in this list. If your dog is sick and a steroid injection is suggested before other things have been tried, think about the side effects.
Some dogs have even more problems with prednisone: muscle wasting, changes to the muscle of the heart, pancreatitis, and even blood clots and stroke can occur in some cases.
All dogs with itchy skin should have their diets changed to natural food.
Steroids like prednisone are dispensed for many different problems and at times are the only medication available that will help a dog. If your dog is being treated for a skin problem, though, there are a lot of other things you can do that might help.
Improve your dogs diet: Just switching brands is not enough to help your dog avoid steroids and deal with his skin problems. Learn how to feed your dog healthy raw food that contains the essential vitamins, enzymes, essential fatty acids, and other nutrients he needs to improve the quality of his skin.
Shampoo: Some skin diseases will respond to frequent shampooing to remove the allergens that cause excessive itching. All dogs will respond to the cool water and cleaner skin. No matter which product you use, most of them help.
Flea control: The most common cause of scratching in dogs is still fleas. Some dogs are so allergic to the saliva of the flea that only one bite will make them chew their skin. Even if no signs of fleas are present, over half the dogs that are presented with skin problems are afflicted with fleas, so all dogs should be protected against fleas before starting a prednisone trial or even one of the alternatives.
Natural alternatives: Some herbs and other natural substances can reduce inflammation of the skin, relieve itching, and make your dog comfortable enough to avoid prednisone. Most of them have few side effects and can even help your dog in several ways.
Antihistamines: If your dogs allergies are not that severe, sometimes just an antihistamine will take care of his problem. The antihistamine may not be as fast, and it may not clear things up 100%, but your dogs health is a lot less compromised.
Prescription allergy suppressants: Some of the drugs that have been developed for use in dogs with allergies may end up being as bad or worse than steroids. Natural alternatives should be tried first, but even if they fail there are new medications that can be tried.
When presented with a dog suffering from itchy skin, the first thing I recommend is a radical diet change. If you want to try alternatives instead of prednisone, this is a great place to start.
I am not talking about buying a different brand of dog food. The processed dog foods sitting on the shelf of your grocery store may each be different, but one thing is the same: They are all processed and have been sterilized enough to be sitting out on a shelf.
So what does a dog with skin disease need? There are suggestions, but we probably do not know. We know a lot more about skin problems than we did 100 years ago, but does that mean we know everything a dog needs? Foods that announce that they are 100% complete are formulated based on research that was done years previously, and it may be inaccurate. A natural diet made up of the raw components described below provides more than that.
Yucca Schidigera and Dogs
For joint pain and inflammation, Yucca Schidigera is a recommended natural alternative. Its extracts have anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory effects(31).
Yucca is a medicinal plant from Mexico. It is available in tablet form.
Steroids in Dogs and Cats: should you avoid prednisone? (essential guide!) – Pet Health Vet Advice
If you are like many of my clients, you want to avoid steroids for you pet. As a holistic veterinarian, I also want to avoid steroids for my patients; however, there is a time and a place for the judicious use of steroids in cats and dogs. In this article I am going to outline the benefits and risks of steroids to help you make an informed decision for your pet