Dogs that suffer from allergies give their loving owners a lot of trouble. Permanent severe itching, scratching wounds, nervous system disorders are just some of the unpleasant allergy symptoms in dogs. Dogs of different breeds, mostly owners of light shades of wool, suffer from seasonal and food allergies. And dealing with the effects of allergies is not always easy. In addition, in order to protect the dog, you often have to look for a tool that has an instant and long-lasting effect. Many were convinced of the effectiveness of the drug "Dexamethasone" for dogs as an antiallergic agent. It is important to understand what is "Dexamethasone", why is this drug prescribed for dogs?
Description
"Dexamethasone" for dogs belongs to the group of glucocorticosteroid drugs (hormonal drug). It is a crystalline powder of white color. You can buy in the form of a solution for injection of white or yellow.
Structure
The active substance of the drug is disodium phosphate. One ampoule of the drug solution (1 ml) contains 4 mg sodium salt (dexamethasone phosphate). Interestingly, the effectiveness of dexamethasone significantly exceeds the effectiveness of hydrocortisone (0.75 mg of this drug act similarly to 25 mg of hydrocortisone).
Drug action
"Dexamethasone" is intended for the treatment of a number of animals (not only cats and dogs, but also pigs, horses, many ruminants). A single use of the drug provides a prolonged effect (more than two days). The drug has anti-inflammatory properties, eliminates the effect of toxins, effectively reduces the sensitivity of the animal to any kind of allergens, relieves the symptoms of allergies and traumatic shock. Among other things, the drug reduces the body's immunity.
The drug actively affects the metabolism. So, for example, this tool actively helps to accelerate the absorption of carbohydrates from food consumed, increases the level of glucose from the liver to the blood, and, therefore, helps the body to produce enough insulin.
Another feature of the action of "Dexamethasone" is the control of water-electrolyte metabolism in animal cells. In practice, this is manifested in a decrease in the level of calcium absorbed by the body, as well as in a significant retention of water and sodium salts in it.
Similarly, the drug also affects the metabolism of proteins in the body. So, the drug actively reduces protein synthesis, reduces the level of globulins in plasma, while the synthesis of albumin in the kidneys and liver is activated.
Interestingly, as an anti-allergic drug, as well as an anti-inflammatory agent, Dexamethasone is thirty-five times more effective than cortisone. Therefore, its use is much more preferable.
Indications for use
It is used to treat arthritis of various origins, skin diseases (including exfoliative dermatitis), allergic reactions (including atopic and contact dermatitis), shock, some types of tumors, traumatic brain injuries, various hematological diseases, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (including ulcerative colitis), all kinds of autoimmune diseases; used for asthmatic status, thrombocytopenia, acute croup, agranulocytosis, cerebral edema.
"Dexamethasone": application for dogs
This drug has its own characteristics of appointment for different animals. When using the drug "Dexamethasone" for dogs, the dosage should be observed carefully. It is administered parenterally (depending on the type of animal: for example, for horses and cattle, the dose is 5 ml; for a pig, from 0.5 to 3 ml, depending on the weight of the animal; for dogs and cats, the dose is from 0.5 up to 1 ml depending on the weight of the animal and topically (in similar doses, adjusted depending on the weight of the animal to which the drug is administered).
As a rule, treatment with this drug lasts no more than three days. It can be extended only in case of urgent need.
If the drug is administered in order to alleviate the condition of a spinal injury, the following dosage must be observed: 0.5 ml of the drug per kilogram of weight. It should be administered every eight hours from the moment of injury and until the condition is relieved (however, no more than three times in a row).
If the product is used as an antishock, then apply from four to six milligrams of the drug (in powder) or 1-1.5 ml of Dexamethasone solution (injections for dogs) per kilogram of animal weight. In such cases, it is administered intravenously. Simultaneously with treatment with the drug, it is important to permanently replenish the loss of water in the body of the animal.
Side effect
With prolonged use and non-compliance with the prescribed dosage, some side effects may occur. For example, vomiting or nausea, loss of appetite, pancreatitis (and other unpleasant symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract), dysregulation of the water balance, edema, a sharp increase in the animal’s body weight, thrombosis, heart failure, dizziness, decreased sleep, confusion, agitation , unreasonable anxiety, decreased visual acuity, the appearance of a pseudotumor of the brain, muscle weakness, joint pain, skin irritation, sudden itching, decreased immunity, a sharp decrease in glucose tolerance, not enough calcium in the body, hiccups, arrhythmia, excessive perspiration, cramps, headache, paranoia occurrence, development of predisposition to various eye infections, osteoporosis, flatulence, a significant decrease in muscle mass.
If such side effects occur, symptomatic treatment is necessary.
Warning
Sometimes after completion of treatment with Dexamethasone for dogs or directly during it, an event occurs that becomes additional stress for the animal, sometimes very severe (for example, trauma or some other disease). In this case, you should increase the dose of the drug used or introduce other drugs to reduce stress and support the nervous system of the dog.
Benefits of the drug
One of the main advantages of the drug "Dexamethasone" is the price. Compared with other drugs of this kind, it has a low cost. This is one of the reasons why many choose Dexamethasone. The price of the drug ranges from thirty to one hundred and fifty rubles (depending on the form of packaging and the country of manufacture).
A wide range of actions makes it extremely popular. The practice and reviews of many owners of allergic dogs confirm the effectiveness of the drug "Dexamethasone". The use of this drug for dogs to a large extent brings relief in acute conditions.
Cons of the drug
Dexamethasone for dogs has a large number of side effects and contraindications, such as pregnancy, immunodeficiency, tuberculosis, mycoses, ulcers, diverticulitis, mental disorders (for example, acute psychosis), hepatitis, heart and kidney failure, hypoalbunemia, a variety of infectious, as well parasitic diseases, glaucoma, simultaneous vaccination. In general, the drug can have a negative effect on the body if contraindications are not taken into account.
Of course, in case of allergic reactions it would be effective to use "Dexamethasone" for dogs. The instruction, with which you can explore all the features of the use of this drug, is a must-have for everyone who plans to use this drug to treat their pet. After all, only in this case can you be prepared for all side effects, minimize their effect and protect your pet.
Moreover, you should not expose the animal to excessive risk, starting treatment with the drug if there are contraindications to the use of this drug. With a careful examination of the characteristics of "Dexamethasone", you can use this medicine to benefit the health of the animal.