Prednisone Use

[Kris Thomas LaBounty]

I just spend hours researching the dosage and how to properly taper a dog from prednisone use and can't find what I am looking for. I am wondering if anyone has had experience with long term use of prednisone? Sergeant has been on Prednisone for about 10 weeks. We started giving him 5mg BID and he stayed on that dose for most of the 10 weeks. For a short period (about a week) our vet upped the dose to 7.5mg BID. He was later decreased back to 5mg BID and after 2 weeks went down to to 5mg QD When his ear infection wasn't getting better I took him to the dermatologist who recommended surgery so we booked a surgery consult with the surgeon for the following morning and he went in for emergency surgery that day (July 2) and had his left ear canal and bulla (middle ear) removed. The surgeon said to keep him on the 5mg QD for 5 more days and them tapper him off. I kept him on for 2 weeks until we saw him again for post op and suture removal and then went to 5mg every other day . On Thursday (his 2nd dose on the every other day schedule), yesterday, we saw the dermatologist again and she said to continue the every other day dose for 7 more days and then go to 2.5 mg every other day for 7 days. This AM he developed water diarrhea and tonight he vomited. I called her first thing this AM for instruction on what to do about the dosing because the only reason for the diarrhea is the withdrawal from the prednisone. It took her tech all day to call me back and after some debate on my part she said to go ahead and do 2.5 daily for 14 days and then 2.5 every other day. Then stop. I gave him 2.5 mg after speaking to her and about 3 1/2 hrs later he vomited up his dinner. It was about 1 hr after he ate but 3 1/2 hrs after taking the prednisone. Sarge had a tumor in his ear that we sent for biopsy and it was cancer. Very rare, especially at his age. He was fine until this morning and I cannot think of one other reason for the diarrhea and I do know diarrhea is one of the symptoms they can get from sudden withdrawal because the adrenal gland stops functioning after prolonged use of prednisone. Of course it's now Friday evening and no vet til Monday. Does anyone know anything about this?????

 

[2bullymama]

Good lord... So very sorry for all this.

The tapering is usually over 30 days... Smaller doses overtime two weeks time . Cheli was on it recently for a back issue and he started with 1 pill a day for 5 days, then one every other day for 5 then half everyday for 5 and then have every other till gone

Is there an ER vet near that you can call or go visit? The dosage seems like it might not be right


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[hannah]

I have no experience with this but just wanted to say sorry you are dealing with this!! ugh!!

 

[Kris Thomas LaBounty]

Thats who did the surgery and where his dermatologist is. They are the ones who gave me the dosing schedule. My regular vet sent home a schedule and its pretty much the same. Ive altered it to 2.5 mg per day for 7 days and then I'll do the 2.5 e/o day for 7 days unless the diarrhea doesnt clear. We need to have more blood tests 2 weeks after he's off the prednnisone but I may h ave them done sooner to make sure the liver and pancreas levels havent increased any more. I of course worry the cancer has spread even though the biopsy indicated they felt they got it all. We know it will show up again but all the literature says it shouldnt be for around 54 months based on the stage. Of course that's an average and anything can happen because these tumors are rare and usually found in cockers and boxers over age 10 and our dog is 3 1/2.

 

[2bullymama]

Thats who did the surgery and where his dermatologist is. They are the ones who gave me the dosing schedule. My regular vet sent home a schedule and its pretty much the same. Ive altered it to 2.5 mg per day for 7 days and then I'll do the 2.5 e/o day for 7 days unless the diarrhea doesnt clear. We need to have more blood tests 2 weeks after he's off the prednnisone but I may h ave them done sooner to make sure the liver and pancreas levels havent increased any more. I of course worry the cancer has spread even though the biopsy indicated they felt they got it all. We know it will show up again but all the literature says it shouldnt be for around 54 months based on the stage. Of course that's an average and anything can happen because these tumors are rare and usually found in cockers and boxers over age 10 and our dog is 3 1/2.

I'm sending lots if prayers to you both... Please keep us posted [emoji1317][emoji1317]


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[Cbrugs]

I'm so sorry you and Sarge and going through this. I have no experience with this but I hope he starts to feel better soon.

 

[Jakeyjake]

So sorry for you and sarge. I really am no help as I don't have any experience with this, but just wanted you to know that you and Sarge are in our thoughts. Have you tried feeding a bland diet? Good luck and keep us posted with his progress.

 

[blushy]

So much happening! And none sounds good...

I have no experience with any of this, either.

I'll be thinking of you & Sarge.
Keep us posted.




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[2bullymama]

Thats who did the surgery and where his dermatologist is. They are the ones who gave me the dosing schedule. My regular vet sent home a schedule and its pretty much the same. Ive altered it to 2.5 mg per day for 7 days and then I'll do the 2.5 e/o day for 7 days unless the diarrhea doesnt clear. We need to have more blood tests 2 weeks after he's off the prednnisone but I may h ave them done sooner to make sure the liver and pancreas levels havent increased any more. I of course worry the cancer has spread even though the biopsy indicated they felt they got it all. We know it will show up again but all the literature says it shouldnt be for around 54 months based on the stage. Of course that's an average and anything can happen because these tumors are rare and usually found in cockers and boxers over age 10 and our dog is 3 1/2.

sending lots of prayers to your little man.... please keep us posted