Budesonide is a prescription corticosteroid medication sometimes prescribed for veterinary use. Despite its effectiveness in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in dogs, budesonide poses a risk for side effects in some animals.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of budesonide use in dogs are increased urination, increased thirst and increased appetite, reports Wedgewood Pharmacy. The medication may also make the dog's coat thinner.

Time Frame

Because the risk of side effects increases the longer an animal takes budesonide, veterinarians typically strive to reduce the dosage of the drug every seven to 10 days until the medication is no longer needed, explains the Merck Veterinary Manual.

Drug Interactions

Medications like the antibiotic erythromycin, the the acid reflux drug cimetidine, antifungal medications like ketoconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole and the hypertension drug diltiazem all have the potential to increase the side effects of budesonide, reports the Wedgewood Pharmacy.

Risks

Because budesonide suppresses the activities of a dog's immune system, the medication increases the risk of bacterial, viral and anti-fungal infections in dogs, warns Doctors Foster and Smith. Other risks associated with the drug include the onset of diabetes, inflammation of the pancreas, stomach ulcers, decreased liver function and dysfunction of the adrenal glands.

Considerations

Budesonide is not safe for use in pregnant animals or in liver or kidney dysfunction, diabetes or cataracts, cautions Wedgewood Pharmacy.

Source:

Wedgewood Pharmacy: Budesonide for Veterinary Use

Merck Veterinary Manual: Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Doctors Foster and Smith: The Veterinary Use of Glucocorticosteroids in Pets