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Why does the redness return to dog's eyes when lower med. dosage.?
My 8 yr. husky has major health problems on paper, but due to a great vet and balancing meds,she is very healthy.She was diagnosed 2 years ago with Atkins disease and takes prednisone.This winter her skin got black spots,hairloss, and a dandruff-like condition---no odor, and no itching. We lowered her dosage to 2.5mg twice a day down to once a day.She seemed to be doing fine. The vet suggested 2.5 mg every other day, except during stressful times. Shortly after, she got conjunctivitis.She has had prednisolone drops and triple ointment twice a day---it seemed to clear up. I gave it for 5 days, then 3 days of once a day.Now it is returning. I had also rinsed eyes with diluted salt water---I also stopped that. I do not know if the lower dosage of prednisone is relevant.Vet says to continue the meds twice a day for 10 days--then 5 days once a day, and then stop. I will make an appointment if it returns. Any advice? I thought maybe if was food allergies--so am going grain free. Benadryl?
I meant Addison's disease--not Atkins.
1 Answer
- ?Lv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
Prednisone is a potent antiinflammatory corticosteroid that also can suppress the immune system if given for longer periods. Sometimes that can be a good thing, sometimes not. Your veterinarian is trying to avoid the potentially harmful effects of prednisone by giving your dog at least one day off in between doses--very good, if you possibly can. Generally, it's safer to give 5 mg every other day than 2.5 mg every day. But you and your veterinarian will have to stay in close contact to work that out for your own dog.
Because the prednisone is antiinflammatory, it may be suppressing whatever is causing the eye inflammation/conjunctivitis. That could be an infection, an allergy, or an autoimmune problem, where the dog is "attacked" by its own immune system. An immune-mediated cause is suspected for Addison's disease, so that could indeed be the case with your husky. There's been a lot of speculation about the connection between diet and immune problems, but much of what is presented as gospel is just guessing, so interpret cautiously.
Your friend is a credit to your care, and that of your veterinarian. Keep working together.
