Prednisolone 5mg Tablets for Dogs & Cats – Corticosteroid Anti-Inflammatory & Immunosuppressant

What Is Prednisolone 5mg?

Prednisolone 5mg scored tablets contain prednisolone 5mg per tablet, a synthetic glucocorticoid corticosteroid used in dogs and cats to reduce inflammation, suppress overactive immune responses, and replace natural cortisol in animals with adrenal insufficiency. The tablets are scored (can be halved) to allow precise dose adjustment across a wide range of body weights.

Prednisolone is one of the most widely prescribed medications in veterinary medicine — its broad spectrum of indications, well-understood safety profile, and low cost make it the first-line corticosteroid for most short- and long-term inflammatory and immune-mediated conditions in companion animals.

Prednisolone vs Prednisone — Why Cats Must Have Prednisolone Specifically

Prednisolone and prednisone are closely related but not interchangeable in cats. Prednisone is a prodrug that requires conversion to prednisolone by the liver. Dogs have robust hepatic first-pass conversion and handle prednisone normally. Cats have significantly reduced hepatic capacity to convert prednisone to prednisolone, meaning prednisone tablets have unpredictable and often inadequate bioavailability in cats. Prednisolone, being the active form, is absorbed directly without any conversion step — making it the only reliably effective oral corticosteroid for cats.

Always use prednisolone tablets (not prednisone) when treating cats.

How Prednisolone Works

Prednisolone is a glucocorticoid — it binds to intracellular glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) present in virtually every cell in the body. The activated receptor-prednisolone complex moves to the cell nucleus and directly regulates gene expression, producing multiple effects depending on the dose:

• At anti-inflammatory doses: Prednisolone suppresses the production of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and cytokines — the chemical mediators responsible for redness, swelling, heat, and pain. It also stabilises cell membranes and reduces capillary permeability (leakage of fluid into tissues).
• At immunosuppressive doses: Prednisolone suppresses T-lymphocyte activation and proliferation, reduces antibody production by B cells, and decreases the number of circulating immune cells — reducing immune-mediated damage in autoimmune diseases.
• At replacement doses (Addison’s disease): Replaces the endogenous cortisol that the adrenal glands are failing to produce, restoring normal metabolic function.

Indications — What Prednisolone Treats

Inflammatory Conditions

• Allergic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria (hives) — most common use; prednisolone rapidly reduces itch, redness, and self-trauma
• Asthma and bronchitis (especially feline asthma) — reduces airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction
• Allergic conjunctivitis
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — dogs and cats with chronic vomiting, diarrhoea, and weight loss from idiopathic intestinal inflammation
• Arthritis — both inflammatory and immune-mediated polyarthritis
• Otitis externa — inflammatory component of ear disease
• Spinal cord trauma — high-dose prednisolone/methylprednisolone as emergency treatment to reduce oedema
• Elevated intracranial pressure — reducing cerebral oedema in trauma or brain tumours
• Anaphylaxis — secondary to adrenaline in acute allergic emergencies

Immune-Mediated Diseases

• Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) — life-threatening autoimmune destruction of red blood cells; prednisolone is the cornerstone of treatment, typically at immunosuppressive doses
• Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP) — autoimmune platelet destruction
• Lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Pemphigus foliaceus — autoimmune blistering skin disease
• Myasthenia gravis
• Immune-mediated polyarthritis
• Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) — CNS inflammation in dogs

Endocrine Disorders

• Primary Addison’s disease (hypoadrenocorticism) — prednisolone provides glucocorticoid replacement when the adrenal glands fail to produce cortisol
• Note: Addison’s also requires mineralocorticoid replacement (fludrocortisone or DOCP injection); prednisolone alone is not sufficient for full Addison’s management

Neoplasia (Cancer)

• Lymphoma — prednisolone is included in most CHOP and COP chemotherapy protocols and is used as a single-agent palliative treatment; can temporarily reduce lymph node size and improve quality of life
• Mast cell tumours — adjunct to reduce tumour-related histamine release and inflammation
• Leukaemia, multiple myeloma

Dosage by Indication

Prednisolone dosing is highly indication-dependent. The dose for allergic skin disease is very different from the dose for IMHA or Addison’s. Using the wrong dose for the condition being treated risks inadequate response or unnecessary side effects.

Always use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration. For chronic conditions, taper to alternate-day (every 48h) dosing once clinical control is achieved to minimise adrenal suppression and side effects. Never adjust doses without veterinary guidance.

Practical Tablet Dosing Guide

Each tablet contains 5mg prednisolone. Tablets are scored and can be halved to give 2.5mg.

How to Administer

• Give with food — prednisolone can cause gastric irritation on an empty stomach. Always give with a meal or small treat.
• Once-daily timing:
  • Dogs: Give in the morning to align with the dog’s natural cortisol peak and minimise disruption to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
  • Cats: Give in the evening — cats are crepuscular/nocturnal animals whose natural cortisol peaks in the evening, so evening dosing is better aligned with their physiology
• Tablets can be hidden in food, a treat, or a pill pocket if needed
• Follow the full prescribed course and do not alter doses without veterinary advice

⚠️ CRITICAL: Never Stop Prednisolone Abruptly

This is the most important safety rule for all corticosteroid therapy. When prednisolone is given for more than one to two weeks, the body reduces its own cortisol production — the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is suppressed. If prednisolone is suddenly stopped, the body cannot immediately resume normal cortisol production. This can result in acute adrenal insufficiency — a life-threatening medical emergency characterised by collapse, severe weakness, hypotension, vomiting, and potentially death.

Always taper prednisolone dose gradually before stopping:

• Reduce the daily dose by 25–50% every 1–2 weeks, under veterinary guidance
• Transition from daily to every-other-day dosing before stopping entirely
• The longer the treatment course and the higher the dose, the slower the taper should be
• If the animal shows signs of weakness, lethargy, vomiting, or collapse during tapering, contact your vet immediately — the dose may need to be temporarily increased

Contraindications

• Active bacterial or fungal infections — prednisolone suppresses immune defences and can allow infections to spread rapidly; treat concurrent infections with appropriate antimicrobials
• Corneal ulceration — corticosteroids delay corneal healing and can worsen ulcers dramatically; always examine the eye with fluorescein stain before using systemic or topical corticosteroids near the eye
• Gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding — prednisolone reduces the protective mucus layer of the GI tract
• Cushing’s syndrome (hyperadrenocorticism) — prednisolone will worsen existing cortisol excess
• Diabetes mellitus — corticosteroids increase blood glucose; prednisolone can precipitate or worsen diabetes
• Pregnancy — corticosteroids can induce premature labour and have foetal developmental effects
• Hypersensitivity to prednisolone or other glucocorticoids

Use With Caution In:

• Animals with heart disease (prednisolone causes sodium and fluid retention)
• Kidney disease (fluid retention increases the burden on already-compromised kidneys)
• High blood pressure (hypertension) — prednisolone worsens hypertension
• Animals with a history of pancreatitis — corticosteroids may increase risk
• Animals undergoing allergy testing within the next month (prednisolone suppresses allergic responses, confounding test results)
• Puppies and kittens — corticosteroids can inhibit normal growth

Drug Interactions

Side Effects

Short-Term / Common

• PU/PD — polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyuria (increased urination); most common, usually well tolerated
• Polyphagia — increased appetite and food-seeking behaviour
• GI upset — vomiting, diarrhoea, occasionally GI ulceration; always give with food
• Panting — particularly in dogs, at higher doses
• Behavioural changes — restlessness, increased activity (or lethargy), rare aggression

Long-Term / Prolonged Use

• Iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome — caused by chronic excessive corticosteroid levels. Signs include: pot-bellied appearance, muscle wasting, thin skin, poor coat quality, hair loss (alopecia), calcinosis cutis (calcium deposits in skin), recurrent infections
• Adrenal suppression — the adrenal glands atrophy and cannot produce cortisol if prednisolone is stopped abruptly (see tapering section above)
• Diabetes mellitus — especially in cats; corticosteroids impair insulin sensitivity. Monitor blood glucose in any cat on long-term prednisolone
• Opportunistic infections — bacterial, fungal (including Aspergillus, Cryptococcus), and viral infections thrive under immunosuppression
• GI ulceration — risk increases significantly with long-term or high-dose use; concurrent GI protectants (omeprazole, sucralfate) are often prescribed
• Muscle weakness and wasting — due to protein catabolism
• Delayed wound healing — important consideration around surgery
• Cataracts — with prolonged use in some species

Long-Term Monitoring

For dogs and cats on prednisolone for more than 4–6 weeks:

• Baseline and periodic bloodwork: complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry panel (ALT, ALP, blood glucose, BUN, creatinine, electrolytes)
• Urinalysis: check for glucose (diabetes risk), protein, and signs of urinary tract infection (immunosuppressed animals are prone to UTIs)
• Blood pressure: prednisolone causes fluid retention and hypertension
• Body weight and muscle condition: watch for muscle wasting and pot-belly
• ACTH stimulation test: may be performed if adrenal suppression is suspected
• Monitoring frequency: every 1–3 months for patients on long-term therapy, or sooner if clinical signs change

Storage

• Store at room temperature (15–30°C / 59–86°F)
• Keep in a tight, light-protective container
• Keep out of reach of children and pets
• Do not use beyond expiry date

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my cat need prednisolone instead of prednisone?

Cats have poor hepatic capacity to convert prednisone to its active form, prednisolone. If a cat takes prednisone, absorption is unreliable and inadequate — the drug may appear not to work. Prednisolone is the active form that works without any liver conversion, making it the only reliable oral corticosteroid for cats. Always use prednisolone, not prednisone, in cats.

How do I know if my dog has developed Cushing’s syndrome from prednisolone?

Signs of iatrogenic (medication-induced) Cushing’s syndrome include: pot-bellied appearance, muscle wasting, thin and fragile skin, hair loss in a symmetrical pattern (especially flanks and abdomen), increased thirst and urination (beyond what you saw at the start of treatment), recurrent skin infections, and slow wound healing. If you notice these signs, do not stop prednisolone abruptly — contact your vet for a supervised dose reduction plan.

Can prednisolone be used with antibiotics?

Yes, and in some cases it’s specifically recommended — the original product label notes that antibacterial therapy should be given alongside prednisolone when treating infections with severe toxicosis, because prednisolone alone would suppress the immune response needed to clear the infection. However, in most routine uses, prednisolone should not be given without antibiotic cover unless the diagnosis specifically indicates an immune-mediated (non-infectious) condition.

How long does a prednisolone course typically last?

It depends entirely on the condition. Acute allergic reactions may require just 3–5 days. Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) typically requires months of treatment with very slow tapering. Addison’s disease requires lifelong therapy. Lymphoma palliative therapy continues until response is lost. Always follow your veterinarian’s specific tapering schedule — never stop prednisolone abruptly after more than 1–2 weeks of treatment.

Can prednisolone be given with meloxicam or carprofen?

No — this combination is specifically contraindicated and dangerous. NSAIDs and corticosteroids both damage the protective mucus layer of the GI tract through different mechanisms. Combined use causes severely increased risk of gastrointestinal ulceration and haemorrhage, which can be life-threatening. There must be an appropriate washout period when switching between the two drug classes.

Related products: Dexafort 50ml (Dexamethasone) – Potent Injectable Corticosteroid | Apoquel (Oclacitinib) – Non-Steroidal Allergy & Itch Relief for Dogs | Zycortal (DOCP) – Mineralocorticoid for Addison’s Disease