Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Prednisone is dosed at 2–4 mg/kg PO q12h initially in dogs, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed. Prednisone is used in dogs for Immunosuppressive (IMHA, ITP), Anti-inflammatory. Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Prednisone in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Deltasone
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 2–4 mg/kg | q12h initially | Slow taper over weeks-months | Immunosuppressive (IMHA, ITP) | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 0.5–1 mg/kg | q12-24h | Taper after 5-7 days | Anti-inflammatory | Strong | Johnson KC, Mackin A. Canine immune-mediated polyarthritis: part 2: diagnosis and treatment. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2012;48(2):71-82. PMID: 22267168 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.771 (2026-08-01). |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your dog's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Prodrug converted to prednisolone by the liver. Modulates gene transcription via glucocorticoid receptors, suppressing inflammatory/immune responses.
INEFFECTIVE in cats (cannot convert to prednisolone — use prednisolone instead). PU/PD, polyphagia. GI ulceration. Iatrogenic Cushing's with chronic use. Taper when discontinuing.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Prednisone dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: PO 2–4 mg/kg q12h initially; PO 0.5–1 mg/kg q12-24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Prednisone in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Prednisone in dogs include: Slow taper over weeks-months; Taper after 5-7 days. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Prednisone is indicated in dogs for: Immunosuppressive (IMHA, ITP), Anti-inflammatory.
These are general warnings for Prednisone across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. INEFFECTIVE in cats (cannot convert to prednisolone — use prednisolone instead). PU/PD, polyphagia. GI ulceration. Iatrogenic Cushing's with chronic use. Taper when discontinuing.
Why a species-specific page? Prednisone pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.