Niacinamide is used in combination with other medications to treat a host of diseases that afflict dogs. Niacinamide is primarily used to treat autoimmune diseases that result in skin conditions, although it is also considered an alternative treatment for other conditions including ones that affect canine feet and eyes. Limited studies of niacinamide as part of a treatment plan show little serious health-related side effects.
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Discoid Lupus
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Discoid lupus, an autoimmune disease considered a benign form of systemic lupus, primarily affects the face and nose of dogs afflicted with it. Ultimately, as the disease advances, tissue destruction is evident. Some breeds, including collies, huskies and German shepherds, are at increased risk for developing this disease. Niacinamide together with tetracycline is prescribed three times daily.
Pemphigus Complex
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Pemphigus complex is the name given to a group of auto immune diseases that affect dogs skins, primarily in the form of skin blisters. As with discoid lupus, permphigus complex tends to occur in certain breeds, including akitas, chow chows, dachshunds, bearded collies, dobermans, Finnish spitzes and Newfoundland dogs. Pemphigus erythematosus, the second most common form of this family, is more common in collies, Shetland sheepdogs and German shepherds. When corticosteroids like prednisone do not work, alternatives include a combination of niacinamide and tetracycline.
Lupoid Onchodystrophy
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Lupoid Oncohodystrophy, a disease that causes a dog's nails to become painful and eventually fall off, can be treated using niacinamide together with tetracycline two to three times daily. Most vets recommend 500 mg of each medication per dose. This disease is most prevalent amongst rottweilers and greyhounds, although German shepherds and giant schnauzers are also known to get it.
Conjunctivitis
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According to vetcontact.com, cases of conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, have been successfully cleared up using several medications simultaneously. Perhaps not surprising, this winning combination includes oral doxycycline, prednisolone and niacinamide.
Side Effects
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A 1992 study evaluated the use of tetracycline and niacinamide for treatment of autoimmune skin disease in 31 dogs. This course of treatment was used for a variety of skin diseases, including discoid lupus and several of the pemphigus complex. Of those studied, 70 percent had excellent or good response to treatment and did not experience any serious side effects. Vomiting is the chief anecdotal complaint of using niacinamide together with tetracycline for autoimmune skin diseases, although when compared with the side effects of steroid treatments, many find this a tolerable side effect. No studies have been done to study the side effects of niacinamide alone on dogs. Unfortunately, because niacinamide is always used in conjunction with another medication, it is hard to determine if any side effects are the result of each individual contributing medication or a combination of the items that make up the treatment protocol.
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