Will Vetoryl Help My Dog?

---

Some dog owners have to help their dogs overcome Cushing’s disease. It is a serious health issue that causes the adrenal gland to overproduce the hormone cortisol. The scientific term for this disease is hyperadrenocorticism, and you can read more about it here - Cushing’s disease in dogs.

This article will give dog owners information about one of the main medications vets prescribe to dogs for Cushing’s disease. The name of the medication is Vetoryl. If your dog has to take it, here is the most important information you might want to know.

What is Vetoryl?

Vetoryl for dogs is an adrenocortical suppressant medication the FDA approved for dogs and cats. This medication can also be used to treat Alopecia X in dogs. The active ingredient in this medication is trilostane. It will affect the adrenal cortex and prevent the overproduction of glucocorticoids.

Is it effective?

One of the first questions dog owners ask their vets is, “Is Vetoryl effective?” Naturally, they want to know if the medication will help their dog. Cushing’s disease is scary, and most of us want to know if our dogs will get better if they take this medication. The good news is that Vetoryl is considered fairly effective.

To get it approved by the FDA, the manufacturer had to prove the drug was effective. They organized a study that enrolled 83 dogs with Cushing’s disease and treated them over 14 days with Vetoryl. The majority of the dogs showed clinical improvements after a few days. Nearly all of them had significant improvements by the end of the 14 days. Those are pretty impressive results for dealing with such a disease.

VET TIP: Cushing’s disease has three possible causes, and the cause might affect the drug’s effectiveness. Vetoryl is usually very effective, no matter what the cause is.

Is Vetoryl safe for dogs?

One of the most important questions dog owners want to be answered is, “Is Vetoryl safe for dogs?” No dog owner wants to give their dog a medication that will end up helping with one problem but creating a different one. The good news is that Vetoryl is considered relatively safe.

However, you must stick to the recommended dosage. In the animal safety study, dogs were exposed to 3X and 5X larger dosages of Vetoryl for 90 days. 8 dogs died during the study because their body couldn’t handle such large doses. It is crucial to listen to your vet and stick to the schedule they recommend with this drug.

Vetoryl side effects

While Vetoryl is considered safe, you should know it can cause side effects. Most drugs do, and the more severe the illness the drug is treating is, the more severe side effects could be. Drugs are chemical compounds your dog is ingesting, so some side effects shouldn’t be surprising. The good news is that most of them go away after a few days. The most common Vetoryl side effects are;

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Reduced water and food consumption (which is expected since Cushing’s disease might cause your dog to overeat and overdrink)

How is it given to dogs?

Dogs usually don’t really like pills, so you should prepare and know how to safely give your dog Vetoryl. This drug comes in the form of capsules, and owners should never try to split them. Make sure your dog takes the whole capsule. It is mostly given to dogs once a day, with food. Vetoryl dosage is usually 1 - 3 mg per 1 pound of body weight. Your vet will tell you the correct dosage.

SAFETY TIP: You should not handle this drug if you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant. If you absolutely have to, wear gloves and make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after giving it to your dog.

Where can I get it?

Vetoryl can only be prescribed by a licensed vet. The first step of getting it for your dog is to visit your vet and schedule a checkup. After the vet decides this is the right form of treatment for your dog, they will write you a prescription. You can pick it up in your local pet pharmacy, or if you prefer ordering it online, you can do that on Chewy’s online pharmacy.

World Dog Finder team