Lysodren for Dogs

If your dog suffers from the condition called hyperadrenocorticism, you may wish to speak with your vet about the possibility of providing him with Lysodren as a way of dealing with his symptoms. Hyperadrenocorticism is a condition that is brought about by abnormal function of the adrenal glands and can lead to a number of debilitating symptoms and effects. Fortunately, this condition can be mediated with the help of drugs like Lysodren.

Lysodren Overview

Lysodren is a brand name drug of the medicine called mitotane. Mitotane is an example of a cytotoxin, which is a type of medicine that specifically targets and disables or kills a set of particular cells within a bodily system. In the case of Lysodren, these cells exist within the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are responsible for generating a number of important hormones in your dog's body, and most importantly for making cortisol. This hormone is crucial for cellular growth and function. However, when there is too much cortisol in the bloodstream due to an overactive adrenal system, this is a problem. By limiting the cell growth of the adrenal gland, Lysodren can effectively curb the production of cortisol.

Using Lysodren With Your Dog

Lysodren is interesting as a veterinary medicine because it is formulated and designed for use in humans only. The drug is not approved for use in pets by the FDA. However, it can legally be prescribed by veterinarians as an extra label drug. In order to be able to treat your pet with this type of medicine, you'll need a veterinarian's prescription and to keep your pet under the watchful eye of a trained vet as well.

Lysodren is a powerful drug that can have a variety of negative effects on both people and animals if used improperly, so it's crucial that you keep it out of the reach of children and other animals. The drug is available in tablet form, and the exact dosage that is required for your pet will be dependent upon his weight, size and the severity of his condition. It's essential that you follow your vet's instructions for dosing as closely as possible in order to be sure that your pet maintains an even and proper cortisol level.

Risks of Lysodren

Lysodren has a few known side effects in some pets. First, it can react negatively with certain other types of medicines. Therefore, before you begin to give your pet this medicine, it's important that you discuss any other medical conditions or issues that your pet may have with your vet.

Some of the most common side effects of Lysodren include:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of weight
  • Loss of appetite
  • Lethargy
  • Depression or mood changes

It's important that you report any side effects that you notice to your vet as quickly as possible, as they may be signs that the cortisol production levels are not properly set.

With careful monitoring, Lysodren can be an excellent way to restore your pet's adrenal system to a healthy state.

 

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