BUDESONIDE (ENTOCORT) - Page 1

Has anyone ever used this steroid for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

My dog has had IBD confirmed by biopsy. Four  days ago he started a course of Budesonide and Metronidazole. Our Vet explained about this drug and I have found some information on the Internet. It is used in Human Crohn's Disease. The biggest problem with it is the cost compared to Prednisone. It costs £195.00 for 60 capsules, which is 20 days worth of treatment.

It would be helpfull to hear form someone who has used it before, I don't know how quickly it works compared to Prednisone.  If anyone has used Prednisone, perhaps they could tell me how quickly it worked and then I can compare the two. I will obviously discuss this with our Vet when we speak on Friday, but it is always helpful to hear the views of someone who has used Budesonide. I understand its fairly new in animal medicine so I cant find a huge amount of information. Also, if it is slower to work than Prednisone then it may become too expensive to use long term, and we may have to change to Prednisone anyway. Hope that all makes sense!!!!  I am in the UK.

Any views or information would be appreciated.

Thank you

Hi Brady Bee,My 11year old Gsd had a serious eye infection and i was given prednisone to treat him,there was an improvement in 24 hours,the only thing is he thinks he is a puppy again,but i would not hesitate to use them anytime for anything. There is two distinct side effects though my boy wants to eat more so i have to break his meals down to small meals a couple of times a day so he does not put on excess weight,also he tends to drink more water,so i monitor him ,the last thing i want is a bloaty boy just in case it causes other probs.So all i can say is GOOD LUCK but please let us know how things go. I am also in the UK.

regards delsasmum 

Delasas, if you dog truly has an infection - a steroid is the WORST thing that can be given to him. Not that that stops vets from doing it because invariably a steroid temporarily makes the dog feel better which makes mom feel better so she won't bug the vet.  Givin steroids when a known infection  is in place is like throwing gasoline on a fire. It allows the infection to explode. Did the vet do any testing to determine the nature of the infection and what specific antiobiotics should be used - that is the correct protocol for INFECTION.

Also long term steroid use has well known severe side effects - it is NOT a benign drug.