Is hydrocortisone cream bad for dogs? when they accidentally ingest it, what health problems can the dog have? These questions will be answered in this blog post. That’s why we’re going to talk about the indications for using hydrocortisone cream and why it should not be ingested by dogs.
Is hydrocortisone safe for dogs to lick?
No, Hydrocortisone should not be licked by dogs. A lick of hydrocortisone cream can make the dog foam or even drool more. The excess consumption of hydrocortisone cream can cause the dog to have vomiting, diarrhea, prostration, lack of appetite among others.
If the hydrocortisone cream is dry, there are no health problems for the dog. But it is recommended to avoid the consumption of this product type.
What to do when dogs eat hydrocortisone cream?
If it was a single lick and the animal was drooling and foaming at the mouth, the administration of palatable foods such as industrial dog food, meats such as shredded chicken without seasoning and dogs snacks. This type of food causes the dogs to stop feeling the taste of the hydrocortisone cream and start to feel a pleasant taste of the food, thus reducing salivation.
If the dog ingests large amounts of cortisone cream. It is recommended to take the animal to the veterinarian. Because at the hospital, the dog can be observed and can even receive fluid and vitamin supplements. Thus helping the detoxification caused by the ingestion of cortisone cream.
What is Hydrocortisone Cream?
Hydrocortisone cream is a medication used on the dog’s skin that has some inflammatory skin disorder. Hydrocortisone is an anti-inflammatory that belongs to the group of corticosteroids.
In dogs, hydrocortisone cream can be used in small amounts as treatment of:
- Atopic dermatitis,
- Allergic dermatitis,
- Wound healing
- And relief of itching, irritation and inflammation of the skin.
Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a genetic disease that can affect some dogs. Atopic dermatitis leads to chronic inflammation of the skin causing itching and red skin. This dermatitis usually occurs in defined seasons, and is linked to allergens that are not always identified in exams.
Allergic dermatitis
Allergic dermatitis is an allergic reaction that occurs on the skin producing red, itchy skin. Allergic dermatitis can happen due to food allergies, flea bites or contact with an irritating substance such as shampoos, creams, and other products.
Wound healing
The excess inflammatory response can make it difficult for some wounds on the dog’s skin to heal. The use of anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce pain and local inflammation, improving comfort and helping wound healing.
Itching, irritation and inflammation of the skin.
Anti-inflammatories can reduce the excessive action of the body’s inflammatory response, thus reducing redness, itching, irritation and inflammation in the skin. However, if the irritating stimulus is not removed after the use of the medication, the dog tends to have local inflammation in the skin again.
What to do to prevent the dog from licking the hydrocortisone cream?
To prevent the dog from licking the hydrocortisone cream, it is recommended that the dogs wear a cone throughout the treatment. Thus preventing the dog from coming into contact with the skin wounds and with the hydrocortisone cream.
When hydrocortisone cream is used on skin lesions in dogs, dogs should be prevented from licking the wound site. Because only the dog’s lick can remove all the cream from the lesion thus reducing the results of the drug.
This type of medication should only be prescribed by a veterinarian after clinical evaluation and skin examination of the dogs. The treatment may have different duration and many times other medications are associated to ensure the comfort of the dog.
Conclusion
The hydrocortisone cream can bring many benefits to dogs that have some dermatitis, but this medication should not be used without the advice of a veterinarian. Ingestion of this medication should be avoided. Dogs should use cones during treatment with hydrocortisone creams. If the animal licks large amounts of hydrocortisone cream, it can become intoxicated and therefore should be consulted by a veterinarian.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): My dog licked hydrocortisone cream
Will hydrocortisone cream be bad for my dog’s health?
When used properly, it will not harm the dog. However, when used incorrectly, the dog can end up getting intoxicated and have diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite and others. In such cases, a veterinarian should be consulted.
What if my dog licks hydrocortisone cream?
If the dog licks a small amount of the hydrocortisone cream, he may experience salivation and foam in the mouth area, due to the bad taste of the cream. Thus, a palatable food should be provided for dogs to reduce symptoms.
However, if the animal ingests large amounts of hydrocortisone cream, it can become intoxicated. In such cases, a veterinarian should be consulted.
What is hydrocortisone for?
Hydrocortisone is an anti-inflammatory drug whose active ingredient belongs to a group of medicines called steroids. Hydrocortisone can have several presentations such as shampoo, creams, ointments and others. The main function of hydrocortisone is to reduce signs of inflammation such as skin redness, swelling and skin irritation caused by allergies.
What is the best medicine for dog allergic dermatitis?
There are several medications that can be used to treat canine allergic dermatitis. The best medication to treat the dog will depend on the physical and clinical condition of the animal. Therefore, a veterinarian should be consulted and, after an evaluation, he will provide the best medication for each case.
What is atopic dermatitis in dogs?
Atopic dermatitis is a genetic predisposition to develop allergic symptoms after repeated exposure to a substance. Dogs may experience redness of the skin, itching, and fur loss in the area. A veterinarian should be consulted and sometimes a veterinary dermatologist can better evaluate the dog.
Reference
Gedon, N. K. Y., & Mueller, R. S. (2018). Atopic dermatitis in cats and dogs: a difficult disease for animals and owners. Clinical and translational allergy, 8(1), 1-12.
Ro, W. B., Kang, M. H., Song, D. W., Kim, H. S., Lee, G. W., Kang, H. M., … & Park, H. M. (2021). Application of Topical Madecassoside Cream in Dogs and Cats with Skin Diseases. Journal of Veterinary Clinics, 38(2), 56-62.
