Treatment for Feline or Canine IBD

Budesonide for Veterinary Use

Budesonide preparations are being used to treat a variety of human ailments, including asthma and inflammatory bowel disease ("IBD"). But budesonide's therapeutic value isn't limited to humans - it's also being used for veterinary purposes.

Budesonide as a Treatment for Canine or Feline IBD

Although it can be challenging to diagnose accurately, IBD is fairly common in cats and dogs. A permanent cure for an animal suffering from canine or feline IBD is unlikely unless the condition has been triggered by a specific, treatable underlying cause (intestinal parasites, for example) and that cause is identified and eradicated. In most cases, IBD treatment in animals involves managing the symptoms instead of attempting to achieve a cure.

As mentioned above, budesonide is being used to treat people with IBD, in some cases with great success. Fortunately for dogs and cats that are suffering from the same affliction, the therapeutic use of budesonide has been extended into the world of veterinary medicine. Animals with IBD are now benefitting from the advantages of budesonide preparations, just like their human counterparts.

Budesonide won't cure the disease, but it does help control canine and feline IBD symptoms (loose stools, bloody stools, diarrhea, cramping, colic, loss of appetite, and/or vomiting). If a budesonide preparation is effective at alleviating the symptoms of the disease, your dog or cat may need to take the medication for the rest of its life because the underlying IBD is still at work.

The Nature and Availability of Veterinary Budesonide Preparations

Budesonide is a powerful corticosteroid that has been approved for human use under specific circumstances (for the treatment of Crohn's disease and other types of IBD, asthma and certain other health conditions). It has not, however, been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA") for veterinary use. As a result, veterinary budesonide preparations are compounded by what are called "specialty pharmacies." They are not made by any traditional veterinary pharmaceutical company. They are, however, readily available (by prescription) from a variety of specialty pharmacies.

Potential Side Effects

Budesonide's powerful nature and the absence of FDA approval for veterinary use may lead you to wonder whether these preparations are associated with any significant side effects in cats or dogs.

As a general rule, cats and dogs tolerate orally-administered budesonide preparations fairly well. Corticosteroids are powerful medications, and specific side effects (some of which are quite severe) have been associated with the long-term use of some of these drugs. However, budesonide is a fairly new corticosteroid that generally has fewer and milder side effects than prednisolone, prednisone and other corticosteroids. The potential side effects of budesonide when given to dogs or cats include:

• Frequent urination


• Increased thirst and water intake


• Increased appetite


• Coat and skin issues

Contraindications and Potential Drug Interactions

Budesonide should be used with caution if the dog or cat has any of the following conditions:

• Diabetes


• Cataracts


• Impaired liver function


• An active infection


• A gastrointestinal ulcer

Because of possible drug interactions, budesonide should never be given to an animal that is taking any of these medications:

• Cimetidine


• Erythromycin


• Itraconazole


• Ketoconazole


• Fluconazole


• Diltiazem

As you can see, the possible side effects of veterinary budesonide preparations are fairly mild and the contraindications are relatively few. These medications can help many cats and dogs lead a significantly better life despite their IDB.