Prednisone questions....

doxielady5569128 · September 16, 2008, 10:26:43 AM

Can prednisone cause shaking? I'm trying to decipher if Porky's shaking is because he's cold, because of the prednisone, or if its pain?? :thinik: He has had the shakes since yesterday. He does have a fever from the hives and his ear infection so maybe he's shivering because of that? I know his hives hurt because when I try to touch them he whimpers. So maybe it's a combo of all three things??

Also, can ear infections cause hives? The last three ear infections he has gotten have been at the same time as he had an allergic reaction. I guess maybe I'm just being paranoid, but its just too weird I think.

One more question, could it be a skin infection and we are mistaking it for hives??

He doesn't have any sneezing with this. I know when I get the hives I'm sneezing like crazy and my chest and lungs feel heavy. Would a skin infection clear up for a few hours and then get worse?? I guess I'm getting desperate for answers. Sorry I'm so full of questions these last few days!

Please let me know your thoughts on these questions. Thanks, you guys are awesome!!

doxielady5569128 · September 16, 2008, 10:41:22 AM

One more question....sorry!! Is he hiding because he is afraid of something? My husband's grandma had hallucinations when she was on prednisone soanytime one of us would visit her in the hospital she would scream and tell us we had spiders crawling on us. This is such a weird medication, which is why I'm being so paranoid.

peterparker · September 16, 2008, 10:51:19 AM

I had a jack russell on pred. There were bizarre changes in his behaviour. He became aggressive, especially around food. He was a very well behaved dog, but on predisone he would actually lunge at food on your plate, and once he scored, he would not release. He also peed all over the house, and chewed furniture, never slept, and was really obsessive about his things and us. We could discipline all we wanted, it made no difference.
We took him off it, and I would only put a dog on pred as a last resort, and only short term.
Also, pred weakens the immune system.
I never noticed him shaking on it, but then it was prescribed for skin, and posible food allergy, while we sorted out his diet.
:pray:rays for dear little porky. Good luck.

doxielady5569128 · September 16, 2008, 11:12:18 AM

Thanks! I was very hesitant about letting them put Porky on this medication but since they said he will only be on it until next Wednesday, I reluctantly agreed to it. We had tried other medications first and none of them were helping. I totally agree that this medication should not be used in humans or animals unless you absolutely have no other option!

April · September 16, 2008, 11:27:06 AM

It's a steroid and that counteracts the immune response by suppressing it. His ear infection may take longer to heal as a result. Any cuts or scrapes will also take longer to heal. There are many side effects, but usually it's only given for short term conditions rather than long term treatment. (I'm sure there are exceptions to this but generally it's not used long term for allergies.) Also you don't want to just stop giving it. It should be gradually decreased to minimize the side effects of coming off it.

I don't have problems with it but wouldn't use it for more than 2 weeks or so without a really good reason.

doxielady5569128 · September 16, 2008, 11:32:20 AM

Quote from: April on September 16, 2008, 11:27:06 AM
Also you don't want to just stop giving it. It should be gradually decreased to minimize the side effects of coming off it.

Porky's dosage is 10mgs yesterday, today, and tomorrow, then 5 mgs for the next three days, then skip a day (sunday) and take 5 mgs on Monday, then skip a day and give his last dose on Wednesday which is also the 5mg tablet. You are absolutely right about the gradual reduction to get them off it! It amazes me how many people don't realize that your can't just stop it.

Frankys_mom · September 16, 2008, 07:15:58 PM

Franky went a little wacko on pred, too but the longterm results were worth the trouble. You probably are seeing the side effects based on 10mg for his small size, BUT if its helping, try to ride out the storm. I know when my two kids are sick they either (1) seek me out or (2) cower and hide. I think Porky's letting you know he doesn't feel good. Poor little guy.
Is he on antibiotics too for the ear infection? Pred alone but also pred with antibiotics (been there done that with Franky) can really upset their tummies.

Dawn

papbouv · September 16, 2008, 07:28:21 PM

Pred does make them HUNGRY and PEE more if on it LONG term it can cause Diabetes my sister was on it a year and now Diabetic and you do have to wean them off of it slowly. Have you call the vet and asked about Porky's shaking could be from the fever or pain or the meds or all of the three things. Sure wish they could talk sometimes to tell us what is going on with them Wednesday is tomarrow so hope the vet will give you some good news. RAYS,HUGS coming your way Hang in there Porky hope you feel better soon.
Papbouv
Patches & Buddy

doxielady5569128 · September 16, 2008, 07:47:55 PM

Thanks Papbouv and Dawn!! We did call the vet about the shaking and they said they weren't sure what could be causing it. Our guess was because he had a fever it was just the shivers.

The vet said not to be concernd about it unless it becomes constant. Luckilly, Porky's ear infection was very minor so they were able t just put him on some ear drops so he doesn't have to try and stomach antibiotics with the prednisone. He doesn't seem to be hiding as much today. :apls: He does however have a new weird obssession with going down the ramp just so.

He goes halfway down, turns aroud, goes all the way back up, turns around and then goe all the way down. I tried to carry him down it so it didn't take so long and he got upset and had to do it anyway.

They had a very hard time figuring out how much prednisone they could put Porky on because of his small size. He weighed in at 9.5 pounds. They called other vets and the Kansas state Toxicity center to make sure that the 10mg dosage wouldn't be too much for him. Tomorrow is his last 10 mg pill, so we'll have to see if this ramp obssession disappears with a lower dosage.

Roberta · September 16, 2008, 11:06:39 PM

Stick with it, they pick up if you are uptight. Pred is OK for short periods it sometimes is better than what you are giving it for.
roberta

Go4Kirby · September 18, 2008, 09:30:18 AM

Kirby was taking that last week and still has a few to go. He seems fine, but I've noticed that during the weaning off process he tends to be restless at night time and does pee more and is very thirsty. usually he konks out at night but since he's been weaning off it he has woken up every night 4 or five times for a drink or to go out or just to check out the house and make sure everything's ok. Very strange. Poor Porky. I hope he feels better soon.

doxielady5569128 · September 18, 2008, 02:41:45 PM

Thanks! Porky is doing so much better its amazing!! He doesn't have the shakes or any of those weird symptoms anymore.