Four day ago the groomer found a rash on my Shi-poo’s tummy and thought it may be ringworm. We went directly to the vet to see what it could be. He said that it was a summer time rash and gave her a prednisone shot.

Donna
Hoover, AL

The prednisone injection almost certainly is the cause of your dog’s excessive urination.

The “summer time rash” that your dog developed likely was an allergic reaction to one or more allergens.

Prednisone is simultaneously the best and worst medicine ever invented. Prednisone is a very effective allergy treatment. It also treats a host of autoimmune diseases and skin diseases. But it has many side effects.

The first side effects that animals show after receiving prednisone are increased thirst and urination, panting, and behavior changes (sleeplessness, aggression, or lethargy). After a while, increased appetite may develop. Animals that receive prednisone are prone to infections. Long-term prednisone use may lead to diabetes (cats, dogs), kidney failure, or liver failure.

Your dog’s excessive urination should go away as the drug is eliminated from her system. She is unlikely to suffer any long term consequences from the prednisone injection.

I often tell clients that prednisone is a double-edged sword, and your situation is a perfect example. The medicine cured the skin rash as intended. But the medicine also created a new problem.

Prednisone always should be used with caution.

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It has been a while since there has been any controversy on this blog. However, an article from a recent issue of Veterinary Economics may stir things up.

The terms of use of the hosting website prohibit me from both linking to the article and quoting directly from it. Please click on the link to see what the author (Melody Heath, DVM) has to say in her own words.

But, to paraphrase, here is her thesis. Shih Poos, Schnoodles, Labradoodles, Cockapoos and other dogs that are descended from two parents of different breeds are mutts. People who buy them are being ripped off. They are buying mixed-breed dogs (that always seem to be half Poodle) at purebred prices.

And she goes a step further. She claims that it is unethical to purchase a mixed-breed dog. Why pay $1500 for a mixed-breed dog when so many other mutts are languishing in shelters and facing euthanasia for lack of a home?

Do I agree? Partly. By definition, any dog that is not purebred is a mutt. So Dr. Heath is definitely right on that score. However, first generation mutts benefit from a phenomenon known as hybrid vigor. The principle of hybrid vigor states that the direct progeny of two inbred (read: purebred) parents will, on average, be heartier and more robust than either parent.

So, although Cocker Spaniels are prone to chronic ear infections and Poodles suffer disproportionately from heart disease, a first generation Cockapoo is less likely to develop either problem than his parents. And, his personality may be predictable–much like a purebred dog. Every Cockapoo I’ve met has been a really great dog.

Sadly, the benefits of hybrid vigor (and the predictable nature of personalities) dissipate in subsequent generations. Most geneticists would agree that if two Labradoodles mate their progeny will, definitively, be mutts.

What about the ethics of purchasing a “designer mutt” when shelter dogs are in need of homes? From the shelter dog’s point of view, the pedigree of the dog you purchase is irrelevant. If you want to save a shelter dog, don’t pay a breeder for any type of dog. Go to the pound.

Like any good argument, I can see a bit of logic to both sides of this one. I welcome your retorts and input in the comments section.

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