Excel Aspirin vs. Prednisolone Comparison

Excel Aspirin

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Prednisolone

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Prednisone

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Reduces Pain and Inflammation associated with Arthritis?

Reduces Fever?

Reduces Joint Stiffness?

Controls Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Additional Benefits

Coated aspirin helps to protect your dog's stomach

Remedies swelling and itchy skin caused by allergies

What Makes it Different?

Aspirin prevents prostaglandin from being produced and signaling your dog's brain that a certain part of the body is in pain

Only comes in a 5mg tablet

Also treats inflammation due to Addison's disease

Recommended For?

Dogs

Dogs & Cats

Product Type

Tablet

Usage

RX Required

How Long does it Take to Work?

Within Hours of Dose

Video

Ingredients

Aspirin 81 mg, Croscarmellose Sodium, D&C Yellow#10 (Al-lakes), Hypromellose, Methacrylic Acid Copolymer, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Polyethylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Silicon Dioxide, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Starch, Stearic Acid, Talc, Titanium Dio

Prednisolone

Prednisone

Does it have long-term side effects?

None

Cushing's Syndrome in dogs has been reported in association of prolonged or repeated steroid therapy

Prolonged use of corticosteroids may product posterior sub-capsular cataracts, glaucoma with possible damage to the optic nerves and may enhance the establishment of secondary ocular infections due to fungi or viruses.

Cautions

Do Not Give To Cats

Without first talking to your veterinarian, dp not give your pet any over-the-counter or other prescription medications while giving prednisone. There are possible side effects, including insomnia, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, and fatigue.

Without first talking to your veterinarian, do not give your pet any over-the-counter or other prescription medications while giving prednisone. There are possible side effects, including insomnia, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, and fatigue.

What are Customers saying Pros

My pit was moving slowly and my vet wanted him to go on prescription meds at close to $100 a month so I got a second opinion. The second vet gave me joint supplements and these aspirin. That was 2 years ago, and although he has slowed a bit, it was much better than the alternative.

... a small price to pay for the rest of her skin to be doing so good.

..nice to know I've got my good boy back for now. Great product!!

What are Customers saying Cons

...it started to have a negative effect on kitty.

Vet Recommendations

Currently under review

Prednisolone is a drug I will usually only reach for joint pain and/or stiffness if other prescribed nonsteroidal anti inflammatory have failed to work. While cortisone like drugs such as prednisolone can work to reduce inflammation and pain quite quickly, I do worry about the weakening effect on the ligaments and bone when used long term. I will usually use prednisolone over prednisone in geriatric pets or pets with preexisting liver disease. When used long term, it is important to monitor blood work to check for organ toxicity. The biggest side effects seen are usually increased thirst/urination/appetite, and occasionally diarrhea and vomiting. It is also important to monitor for blood loss as well. I give this product an overall ranking of 3.5 out of 5.

There is not a more widely used as well as widely misunderstood drug used in veterinary medicine than the use of oral prednisone. Since many of the chronic diseases treated in small animal veterinary medicine are often due to an overactive immune system response, whether talking about skin/ear allergies, chronic digestive tract inflammation, chronic respiratory or coughing issues, and even inflammation of the brain and spine, this drug is often prescribed by many veterinarians for these various conditions. It is important for animal guardians to understand that when using a drug like prednisone, we are often treating symptomatically, where we dont know or understand the cause of the chronic problems of these various organ systems in most cases. . In other words we are often quickly bandaiding the symptoms but not often addressing the underlying causes of the problems that often elude even the most intense diagnostic search. . . Except for what are called autoimmune diseases, where the body literally attacks its own tissues, such as the red blood cells or platelets, leading to life threatening blood disorders, or the joints in diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, the use of prednisone can often be curative in those conditions as the immune system is so overactive that the life of the animal can be at risk. However it is important for veterinarians to always look for underlying causes of any of these various disorders, so that cure is more likely, and to avoid the occasional side effects seen when this drug is used long term. When prednisone is overused topically and/or orally, side effects can include excessive thirst/urination/appetite, and panting, as well as a thinning of the skin, and weakening of the bones and ligaments of the body, in addition to predisposing to secondary infections particularly of the urinary tract, as well as in occasional cases of diabetes. If used in high doses or for long periods, digestive tract ulceration and bleeding can also occur. However if prednisone is used in appropriate fashions for the above chronic conditions, where the oral dose is tapered to the lowest effective dose to control clinical signs, hopefully every other or every third day in those chronic incurable conditions, than many dogs can remain on this drug long term. The most important point to understand, however, is that when on this drug long term, periodic blood and urine testing should be monitored to detect any early side effects. And while I try and use other milder drugs and various supplements or antihistamines listed on the 1800petmeds website , in some very severe skin allergies with incessant itching, sometimes low dose Prednisone is the only drug that can truly get the itch under control for symptomatic relief for the animals at a reasonable cost, without resorting to very expensive drugs like Atopica or trips to veterinary dermatologists which can cost hundreds to even thousands of dollars long term. I certainly prefer low dose infrequent dosing of Prednisone to control chronic clinical signs over the long acting cortisone injections that many vets use, which indeed have more significant side effects and risks outlined above. While taking everything above into account, and with adequate monitoring, I give Prednisone an overall rating of a 5 with an ease of use of a 5 as well.

Our expert panel consists of licensed veterinarians and the knowledgeable staff of PetMed Express, Inc. d/b/a 1-800-PetMeds. Neither the Company nor any of its employees or consultants make any warranties, expressed or implied, or representations about the accuracy or completeness of the content or the content of any site or external sites. Likewise, no legal liability or responsibility is assumed for the accuracy or completeness of any information, or usefulness of products discussed. While every effort has been made to accurately represent the qualities and characteristics of each product, which for the most part were taken directly from the websites of the manufacturers, we are not responsible for any errors. The information presented is for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. The information is NOT to be used for diagnosis or treatment of your pet. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, allergic reactions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for your pet. It is not a substitute for a veterinary exam, and it does not replace the need for services provided by your veterinarian. Note: Any trademarks are the property of their respective companies.