Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Prednisolone effects on iron and copper in dogs with leishmaniasis
By Adamama-Moraitou, K K et al.·Published in Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire·2005·Clinic of Companion Animal Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Short-term exogenous glucocorticosteroidal effect on iron and copper status in canine leishmaniasis (Leishmania infantum).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with leishmaniasis (a disease caused by parasites) were given prednisolone, an anti-inflammatory medication, for a week to see how it affected their iron and copper levels. After a break, they received the same medication again but at a higher dose to suppress their immune system. While the treatment increased iron levels in both sick and healthy dogs, it caused a drop in copper levels in the sick dogs, which could potentially worsen their condition. The study suggests that using prednisolone in dogs with leishmaniasis should be approached with caution, as it might encourage the parasites to grow.
People also search for: dog leishmaniasis treatment · prednisolone side effects in dogs · dog iron and copper levels
Abstract
Prednisolone was administered as an anti-inflammatory for 7 consecutive days in 11 dogs with leishmaniasis (CL group) and 5 clinically normal dogs (control group). After a 15-day wash-out phase, the same medication was given as an immunosuppressive for another 7-day period. In both animal groups and experimental periods an overall significant increase of serum iron and transferrin saturation was noted. Serum copper showed a significant increase during the anti-inflammatory period in the control group and a significant decrease during the immunosuppressive period in the CL group. No differences or changes of any kind regarding bone marrow hemosiderin were found between the 2 groups either before or after the end of both experimental periods. The only change noticed in the hematocrit values was a significant decrease in the control group after the end of the anti-inflammatory period. Based on these findings the use of prednisolone cannot be recommended and, if contemplated, should be carefully monitored, especially at an immunosuppressive dosage, because it may promote parasite replication through the induction of increased serum iron levels and hypocupremia.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16479727/