Prednisone ??????????

[boxer bill]

Lexie our 3 year old has seasonal allergies. This has been the worst time. She had herself completely scratched up under the armpits and in the front of her chest. I finally took her to the vet. There was a new vet filling in and she put Lexie on a very low dose of Prednisonal 5 mg and an anti biotic for the scrapes. After just 2 pills she has stopped scratching completely. She also gave us 3V caps for her food. The weather is changing and we are having most of the carpet taken up in the house this week and changing to hardwood. Hope this helps too.
My question is if Lexie has to go on this once or twice a year is it really that bad for her? She seems soo much more comfortable. Thanks. BILL

 

[Sigma-1]

I wish I could help you with the Prednisone, but wanted to share our experience with you. Our 2-year old, Samson also has seasonal allergies and what we have been doing is, in the spring take him to the vet for an allergy shot. The vet told me what it was called but I can't remember the name, but he also said that it was basically "souped up" benadryl... Before we ever gave Samson the shot we were giving him children's benadryl on our own, but it didn't completely help with the itching and he was always real sluggish and that just made me sad to see my baby that way! Anyway, he goes about every 2-3 months for an allergy shot during the summer. I just took him for one last week and hopefully that will be the last one needed for the year since the weather is changing. This is his second summer on the allergy shot and it is the greatest thing for him - I have noticed no side effects, he is not sluggish at all and his fur has grown back in all the places he had basically licked it off. Sorry this is so long, but hang in there, I just wanted you to know that your baby will get better too! If you want me to check with my vet on the name of the shot, just let me know, I can give them a call.

 

[jaimie]

The allergy shot is most likely a steroid (just like prednisone is) and the fact that you get it done every 3 or 4 months is not good for them. Not only is (god forbid) something happened to them they would not be able to heal very good. It also causes excessive thirst and excessive urination, & it supresses the body's natural adrenal gland. So when eventually you stop the dosage (if you have them on it for long periods of time) their adrenal glands can't recover.

 

[SuzanneC]

Managing allergies with steroids is not the ideal solution. Jaimie is right, long-term use of prednisone can suppress the function of the adrenal glands. Prednisone has to be tapered to quit if you use it for longer than five days, because if you don't, you can cause a condition called an Addisonian crisis. Basically, this means that there is not enough cortisol in the blood, which causes severe imbalances in the electrolytes in the blood, and it can be fatal.

The "allergy shot" that is given every 3-4 months is usually a drug called Depo-Medrol, which is another steroid.

If there is a veterinary dermatologist in your area, you may wish to consult with them on the allergies. They can do skin testing just like they do in people, and then treatment can be targeted at specific allergies rather than a "shotgun approach."

 

[Rocky Hoya]

I know just about everyone is against the use of steroids as are we but when you have a boxer with allergies they need relief! We are seeing a dermatologist as our baby has allergies he has been allergy tested and is on allergy shots to hopefully make him immune to all the dust, pollens, grasses etc he is allergic to but until then nothing works on him but medrol 4mg. It can take a couple of months for the shots to work. I have contacted 2 other dermatologist and 3 vets and they all say that medrol will affect him after he is on it a couple of years. I was watching emergency vets and a dog came in with allergies and the doctor said that steroids will affect them after a couple years on it? God I hope we dont have to have our baby on it for much longer but for his quality of life he needs it! He is only on it when he really needs it. We tried benadryl, hydroxyzine and others but he still went after his paws like crazy. All I wanted to say is that we have tried everything out there and are seeing a dermatologist for him and I do feel guilty for giving him steroids but it is that or he would be living a horrible life biting at his paws all day long. Hang in there and if your baby is doing good on it I think as long as you are under a doctors care it should be fine. I always say they should have a seperate forum for allergies so many of us have to talk about our experiences and learn from it.

 

[Brutus and Amaya's Mom]

I would try some other solutions before going on pred or shots long term. Yes- you may have to if that is your only option but I think you should explore everything first. Brutus also has allergies but we have been managing quite well the last few years without steriods.

first- what food are you using? He may have inhaled allergies but he may also have food on top of that. I found with Bru that food made a big difference. He is currently on Natural Balance but we had great luck with Natural Balance Duck and potato and Wellness Fish and Sweet potato.

Second- Have you really given antihistamines a try? A dog can safely have 1 mg of benedryl per lbs of body weight 3 times a day. For Bru that would mean he could take up to 3 capsules 3 times a day. That is really a lot of benedryl. Right now Bru takes 1 capsule (25 mg) once a day. When allergies really kick up we use 2 or go 2 times a day.

3rd- do you bathe them frequently? This can really help removed allergens off their fur. I would try that once a week with medicated shampoos. We also used Nizerol on Brus feet when he had them all red and raw.

Try these things out and let me know. We have had great luck with Bru and have had him off the pred for 2 years now.

 

[boxer bill]

Thanks for the replys

Brutus's mom, Lexie eats Verus fish and potato which is supposed to have the least amount of allergie ingredients of all foods. The only thing we don,t do is bath weekly. Believe me when the Vet said Prednisone I said no. She told me she was a Univ. of Florida grad and down there it is really abused. She said it was the lowest dose and that we would only try it. Lexie has been like a different dog. NO scratching. I am hoping the weather change and getting rid of the carpet(this week will help also). I will try anything that you can suggest. Do the vita caps work?? BILL

 

[Cami]

We have went to hepa filters in our furnace, humidifier (sp?) in the winter, frequent brushing (allows natural oils to get distributed evenly) and the 3V caps as well. Daily or every other day vacumn thru-out the entire house.

So far so good. Nearly 1 year since any benedryl. And no allergy signs.

I will never again give any animal any forms of cortisone, per past experience with other animals. UNLESS, it was a matter of life and death.