Dog is acting weird after taking prednisone?

Every time that I hear about a dog being treated with steroids I shudder. Believe me you are one of the myriad of people that report adverse reactions with the use of steroids. Steroids are just as bad for animals as they are for humans. Many people are not aware of the serious dangers of using steroids and the problems that come with their use.

Ironically, even though steroids are prescribed to help with skin rashes and itchiness, your dog's skin problems will be aggravated by the use of steroids.

Many vets nowadays assume that pet owners just want to see their pets get better at all cost and/or if they are not sure about what the problem is they will prescribe steroids knowing the risks. What has gone so wrong with the ethics in medical practice nowadays baffles me. Please inform yourself to make the best decision for the wellbeing your dog. Steroids do not cure anything, they just mask the symptoms temporarily but the underlying cause remains.

As Dr. Karen Becker, DVM states - "Steroids (also called prednisone, cortisone or the nondescript “allergy shot”) are the least optimal treatment choice, as they work by suppressing your pet’s immune system. Not only can steroids have a negative effect on your pet’s liver, adrenal glands and kidneys, but suppressing your pet’s immune system with steroids also allows for opportunistic yeast and bacteria to grow on your pet’s skin..."

Please read the information below: 'Steroids The Great Pretender - Even Low Steroid Doses Can Be Trouble'.

In case that your dog experiences a skin infection due to the effects of the steroid in the future, see remedy below.

SKIN INFECTION REMEDY

For many skin issues I recommend a powder called 'Flowers of Sulfur' (also known as 'brimstone' or 'sublime sulfur').

This substance has been used for thousands of years to cure all kinds of skin ailments including fungal and bacterial infections and if there is itching, it will stop within a few days. Google it to learn more about its healing properties.

Even vets have forgotten about this wonderful and inexpensive remedy but fortunately you can still purchase it at your local pharmacy for very little money. You can also buy it online at http://www.pennherb.com/search?mp=s&se=Flowers+of+...

Flowers of sulfur is safe to apply to your pet's skin but take care not to inhale sulfur powder.

You can dust this powder on your dog's skin OR mix it with an oil to rub on the skin.

The dusting can easily be accomplished if you use a powdered sugar duster or an empty talcum powder bottle. Separate the hair as you go around dusting to expose the skin until you have covered it.

Alternatively, mix 2 tablespoons of flower of sulfur with 1 cup of Jojoba oil and put it in a bottle. Always shake to mix well before applying to the skin as it tends to separate. This method works well for smaller skin areas. You do not need to wear gloves as it is not toxic to humans either.

Unfortunately these are some of the side effects of steroids. Many people have described their family members as crazy when on prednisone.

But, the problem is that it can be dangerous to stop prednisone suddenly. That is why you need to come off of it slowly. Assuming this is day 8 of the treatment, at this point, I am not sure you could safely get the dog off the drug any faster than the already prescribed plan. You might be able to switch to a half tablet every other day at this point for several days and then end it. You could talk to the vet about that options but I would not recommend altering the plan on your own.

Reaction To Prednisone

Thirst and extra urination are ordinary reactions to the meds. We always warn our clients ahead of time and also put a sticker on the meds container to remind them. Panting happens, too.

The amount sounds about right, as does the way to take it. Sounds like you are now giving 1/2 tablet once a day now? Honestly, I would go ahead and keep giving it like your vet says. If your dog were to begin to vomit or have diarrhea the I would call the vet back.

Next time this happens I would ask whether you could try something called Temaril P. It's a steroid/antihistamine combination that we use. My dog did wet the floor when she was on it, though. It is a smaller amount of steroid.

I know your dog has allergies. We take all allergic dogs off all beef right away. We take away rawhide, plus the beef treats and foods. That helps SOMETIMES. If your dog has seasonal allergies, then you will most likely need to keep going back to the vet when an allergy gets bad again. Some dogs are "blessed" with this, and it's sad.

So again, I do think that since you are already into the RX and are now tapering it off, you should continue unless your dog gets worse. Just make sure to get her outside more until the meds are gone. I'm betting the itching is much better?

I have told you what I believe our vets would say.

My response would be to be at the vets office first thing tomorrow. Either the vet checks the dog out first thing, or you tell the vet you will be looking for a new vet that actually cares about the dogs health.

Okay before every freaks out, I use A VERY SPECIFIC Banfield vet. I pass others on my way to her. We walk in and the gal at the desk is Hi, haven't seen you in a while. How are the girls" They get on the scale, "yea Lady you lost a 1/2 pound, then the other dog, to bad Delilah didn't gain it." The point is not only does my vet know my dogs but her staff does. They got rabies shots that day, the next day the office called to make sure all was fine.

The point being if the vet doesn't listen when you tell the something is wrong, find a new vet.

HI, Yes the prednisolone can make him feel like this, along with the increased appetite and thirst. He should be fine after you've finished weaning him off them. If his skin problem is not too severe you can ask your vet if you can try prition instead, there are less side effect issues with this anti histamine. If the skin is particularly bad there are now allergy tests you can have done, but they are not cheap! They can isolate weather the allergy is fleas, environmental or food, this way you can start excluding whatever your little chap maybe allergic too. They can also do a de sensitizing vaccine for dogs that are for instance allergic to pollens or environmental agents, if you have insurance this is well worth looking into. Good luck your dog should be fine

1 Don't stop the prednisone completely unless your vet says so. Just like humans, your dog has to taper off the steroid or it will suffer very uncomfortable withdrawl-like symptoms.

#2 Call your vet and tell them about your dog's reaction so they can give you some peace of mind.

If your vet says to keep giving the antibiotics to her even though she's clearly having some sort of reaction to it, I would take your dog to a different vet and get her assessed there, to get a second opinion. Frequent urination and excessive hunger and thirst are all symptoms for Prednisone, but I haven't seen anything related to panic attacks or shaking.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/prednisone-side-eff...

Those are all side effects that are possible even in humans. Prednisone makes some antsy almost jittery. Don't stop all at once that can hurt more than help. It has long term side-effects but using it for a couple weeks wont harm her. I know its unpleasant but hang in there.

I also have a pit and they are very itchy dogs.We're trying a grain free diet.She also was on prednisone for over a month.It stops the itching but covers up the real reason for itching.Taper her off,try Benadryl 1mg.per pound.My dog had no side affects.

Find what motivates your dog. Some dogs do anything for food. Some dogs do anything for Toys. Some do anything for a good petting. Some do anything for only one type of food, like cheese, or hotdog. Some only have interest in training for 5 minutes at a time, and others can go for an hour. Figure out what your dog is willing to work for, and then work with her in sessions that are no longer than she can tolerate. Learn how to train your dog properly http://onlinedogtraining.enle.info/?9506

Sign up for a dog obedience training class. It will not train your dog. It will give you training on how you can train your dog. Most people understand the idea of training, but there is a right and a wrong way to do it, and there is good and bad technique. Timing and consistency is very important, and it helps to have feedback of someone watching you who can help you improve your technique to get more efficient results with your dog.

However, she may be somewhat anxious around other dogs, sort of like the shy kid on the playground. She will benefit from continuing what you are doing as far as asking her to sit before entering, but there are more things along those lines that will help her to calmly go in and out of the dog park. She may also benefit from going in short bursts, or only when fewer dogs are present, or avoiding times when other dogs that make her nervous are present. Maybe she just plays loud - my brother's dog is this way - or maybe she is a dogpark bully - sorry it is possible. But more likely she is just a little anxious around new dogs and she wants to play but just doesn't quite know how to do that and still feel comfortable. Don't be surprised if your dog does not actually like the dog park, and maybe she would get more enjoyment and less stress out of simply going for a good walk somewhere else.

A wagging tail does not mean that your dog is happy or even comfortable with the situation. It means your dog is emotionally aroused. This could be a happy arousal, or it could be a nervous arousal, or it could be an aggressive arousal. Go youtube it, there are plenty of videos of 'vicious' dogs who are throwing a very aggressive fit of barking and snarling while their tail is wagging vigorously. Even police dogs who are not let off the leash to chase down a suspect can be lunging and barking and snarling, and their tails are still going.