How Long Can I Safely Give My Cat 17mg of Prednisone Daily?

Continue with the same dose, do not taper. Increase a very small amount, say two MG until the condition clears up. Then start to taper off over a three week period, unless the condition comes back. Be aware that steroids will shorten your cats life, but its better to have a short life of high quality than a miserable long life.

X

Prednisone Cat

I gave my cat prednisolone 5mg, because I thought she had throat discomfort from a foxtail, which has occurred a few times in the past and treated (as it passed) with pred. fro about one week to bring down the swelling. Will two days later this time, I realized she actually has a moderate upper respiratory infection. I tapered off the Pred for the third day, since I know it is a also an immune suppressant, but my question is: should I skip it today entirely and give her a very low dose tomorrow. Or how to taper off, safely, while she's sick, without causing any complications. I'm in a rural area and cannot get hold of the vet. I did start her on amoxicillin . which we had for cats. She's eating fine...I just don't want to make the virus / infection worse by the Pred., especially with only three days of usage..

Certainly the use of any drug long-term is not ideal, however if it's needed then it's needed.

This is a very high dose of steroid. Certainly you need to start reducing the dose down now, otherwise you will cause his adrenal glands to shrink, which causes lots of problems. Steroids always need to be tapered down and you should ultimately end on 17mg every 48hrs. I would now reduce your cats dose to either half the 17mg daily or give 17mg every other day and reduce down weekly to the every 48 hours dose and stay on that.

I would still call your vets for advice, there will be someone else you can talk to, it doesn't have to be your own vet. This is an open forum and anyone in the world can answer your question without credentials, so you always need to be wary.

Long term use of Prednisone can cause many health problems.

Most Prednisone courses are reduced over time, such as reducing the dosage and giving them every second/third day. But if you have been giving your cat Prednisone daily, you must not suddenly stop the treatment. It can affect the Adrenal Glands causing nausea, vomiting and shock.

Surely a locum vet is working to cover your usual vet's patients, can you ask them? Or maybe another vet that works at the clinic?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking prednisone?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to prednisone, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have or have recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

To make sure prednisone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

- any illness that causes diarrhea;

- liver disease (such as cirrhosis);

- kidney disease;

- heart disease, high blood pressure, low levels of potassium in your blood;

- a thyroid disorder;

- diabetes;

- a history of malaria;

- tuberculosis;

- osteoporosis;

- glaucoma, cataracts, or herpes infection of the eyes;

- stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, or a history of stomach bleeding;

- a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis; or

- depression or mental illness.

Long-term use of steroids may lead to bone loss (osteoporosis), especially if you smoke, if you do not exercise, if you do not get enough vitamin D or calcium in your diet, or if you have a family history of osteoporosis. Talk with your doctor about your risk of osteoporosis.

Prednisone can cause low birth weight or birth defects if you take the medicine during your first trimester. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Use effective birth control.

Prednisone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Steroids can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medication.

Cheap Online Store --- http://prednisone2.4gw.pw/e3xfs

Jill,

Prednisone, (steroids) need to be tapered off slowly. One cannot just stop without doing it gradually.

Some cats are prescribed this medication for a lifetime, but most vets feel that due to some of the side effects, that a gradual withdrawal is wise. Overuse of steroids can cause Diabetes, and other conditions which are serious. But since your vet is away, suggestion is not to do anything to change your cat's medication before you have a chance to discuss this with him.

But whatever you decide, make sure that withdrawal is slow. Recommendations is to half the dose, give that for a period of time, then half the dose again, wait, and then gradually half the dose until the medication is totally withdrawn.

You might talk with your vet when he returns to try alternatives for this condition, which are available.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2117&a...

Another article to read is: http://www.wedgewoodpharmacy.com/monographs/predni...

Good luck with your kitty and hope all turns out great.

Glad he is doing better.

Troublesniffer

Owned by cats for over 40 years

Freelance writer/blogger for http://www.petside.com/

i cant believe your vet has left it up to you! that seems very unprofessional to me!

are there any other vets in your area you could contact?

Probably until it gets better. The other option is until he has a very bad reaction to it.

Precisely 17 hours, 57 minutes and 8 seconds.

You're welcome.