CBD and Prednisone for Dogs: Interactions and Side Effects (Easy-to-Understand Information)
Okay, so, my dog, Buddy, he’s a golden retriever, and he’s getting up there in age. He started having these really bad allergy flare-ups, itching like crazy, red skin, the whole nine yards. It was heartbreaking to watch.
I took him to the vet, and they put him on prednisone. It’s a steroid, you know? And yeah, it helped with the itching, big time. But, man, the side effects were rough. Buddy was drinking water like a fish and peeing all the time. Plus, he was getting kind of chunky, even though we weren’t feeding him any more than usual.
So, I started doing some digging online, just trying to find something to help him without all those nasty side effects. That’s when I stumbled upon CBD oil for dogs. I read a bunch of stuff, talked to some other dog owners in a forum, and it seemed like it might be worth a shot.
I found a reputable brand that makes CBD oil specifically for pets. You know, one that does all the testing and stuff to make sure it’s safe. I figured I’d give it a go.
I started giving Buddy the CBD oil along with the prednisone, following the dosage instructions on the bottle and what I discussed with my vet. The goal was to wean him off the prednisone eventually.
- Week 1: Not much change, to be honest. Still itchy, still on the prednisone.
- Week 2: I noticed Buddy was a little less frantic about his scratching. He seemed a bit calmer overall.
- Week 3: We started reducing the prednisone dosage, under the vet’s guidance, of course. Buddy was still doing okay, the itching wasn’t getting worse.
- Week 4: We continued to lower the prednisone. Buddy was definitely scratching less now.
- Week 5-6: More reduction of prednisone, and more improvement in Buddy. He seemed more like his old self.
Fast forward a couple of months, and Buddy’s off the prednisone completely! He’s still taking the CBD oil, and his allergies are under control. No more excessive itching, his skin looks good, and he’s back to his normal, playful self. Plus, no more crazy water drinking and constant peeing!
It’s been a journey, but I’m so glad I tried the CBD oil. It’s really made a difference for Buddy. Of course, every dog is different, so you gotta talk to your vet and do your research. But for us, it’s been a real game-changer.
