Life on prednisone

[Lossalfling]

Adam So sorry to hear this. You made the right choice for manni and you .. Sometimes it has to come down to quality over quanitee of life. Hardest thing for us humans to do is know when its time to let go,. ((((HUGS))))

 

[Whisper]

Adam, I'm so very sorry for the terrible loss of Manni. You did so much for him -far more than most people would- and I'm sure he knew how much he was loved.
Rest in peace, Manni.

 

[JessLough]

So sorry to hear about Mannie Sounds you did the right thing, though.

My dog is on prednisone, will be on it for life, and would die without it. I love pred. I respect pred. I know what pred can do (good and bad). Working at a vets I see it be a maricle drug all the time. I know everyone thinks its overused in the world. It is very hard though when cost is a factor, and the owners just want the itching to go away.

I would say the top side effects are increased thirst, increased urination, and increased appitite. The appitite was the biggest thing for my dog. He eventually adjusted to it, and has been doing very well. Since your dog is on im assuming a high dose, and is not even a week into it yet, then i would too say to just give it time. He will adjust, and the dose Will be lowered (you cant keep a dog too high for too long).

Are the accidents in the same spot each time? Can you lay a bunch of towels down by the door incase he has an accident then he will hopefully go on the towels?
I dont know if i would mess with his potassium/sodium. I honestly dont know if being on pred. you could throw him into an addisons problem by doing that (frequently in addisons you have high potassium/low sodium which is what you are trying to do with the diet).

For now I would just let him have whatever water he wants. Get him outside as often as possible. Feed him smaller meals more frequently, and see how he does. Im glad they found something that works with him! FYI, atopica is Extremely expensive, and takes awhile to take effect (and effect varies with each dog).

BigPoodle, I have had dogs develop tumors from the use of prednisone. Even my vet -- and he uses it -- will admit it's something to watch for. Not all dogs have that reaction, but it doesn't seem to be a rarity either. Best to be informed and make an informed choice and then be extremely watchful. I know for me, prednisone is a medication of last resort. Steroids, as a group, should NEVER be used indiscriminately or as a "magic pill."

^This. I fully agree with Renee. Rogue was on Pred for practically the whole time I had him. Without it, he would have died. I only had him for 3 1/2 months, 3 of which he was on pred. His immune system was shot, he had ulcers, etc.

The treatment for Insulinoma, which Rascal has, is meds for the rest of their lives. The most common drug used is Prednisone, because it is cheap and easy to get. You can get a months worth for about $5. The other med you can use is Diazoxide. A months worth is about $67. I use Diazoxide, because there is so much less life changing side effects to it, including NOT killing the immune system.

 

[Brattina88]

((((((hugs)))))) it's never easy, but you did the best you could for him, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers
((((hugs))))

 

[Barb04]

I'm so sorry. Manni will live in your heart and memories forever. Try to remember all the love you sharedd.

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

you were there for Manni--and that is the best support anyone can give. He knew your love, and you knew his---so cling to those memories, and cherish what Manni gave to you. He will guide you when the time is right for another canine family member.