steroids
 

Hello , this is my first post and I would like to ask a question. My yorkie started limping about a month ago and I thought he had torn his cruciate ligament, but the vet determined that wasn't the case. The vet said he had really bad arthritis in both knees(my little muffin is 11), and gave me some Rimidyl and told me to keep him still for a week (yeah right!) so his leg would heal.After a week he was still limping or holding his leg sso the vet tried Deramaxx(another similar anti- inflammatory). This also did not help so when I went back to the vet , they gave me some steroids to put him on for a few weeks.I'm starting him on this tomorrow, but I was wondering if anyone has any experience with giving their doggy steroids and if this is ok and what side effects to expect.I'm just a little worried because I've seen people on steroids and it always seems to have bad side effects.Thank you and sorry such a long post.

I don't have any answers for you, but I know when my daughter had to take them they made her very sick. I would watch your baby very, very close and be ready for anything that might happen.
Good luck and I hope she feels better soon!

My 11 year old Yorkie has been on Prednisone for many years now. There are side effects. Excessive thirst is the primary one, this means she'll have to go out more. Bloating and increased appetite are others. Over a long term they can develop cysts and tumors. My gal has developed several cysts. Hair loss is another.

Pixie has a sensitivity to steroids. She was very ill with pancreatitis after taking them for itching from allergies. She was a mess with liver, kidneys, ulcers lining her intestines. She has all readings normal currently but still has a pancreatic marker. Pixie almost died. She is stable and on a special diet as well as Prilosac and Sucralfate. She will never be as she was before, slight brain damage from the toxins when her kidneys weren't filtering. She fought hard to survive. We treasure each day that she is still with us.
I have read similar stories on other forums. Some Yorkies have a sensitivity to steroids, other can tolerate small doses but most owners are aware and cautious.

steroids
 

Thank you very much for your advice. I've felt uncomfortable all day about starting on this medication, so I hadn't given it to him yet. I don't think I will risk it , now that I have read your posts. This seems to be too heavy duty a remedy for such a moderate problem. My gut feeling agrees. Once again ,thanks!

My friend's Mini Dachshund is on steroids, and she ballooned up to twice her weight almost. She looks like that little step chair in Beauty and the Beast.

I wanted to welcome you to YT. Im so sorry that your little one is ill. Also I dont kow of any dogs on steroids But after reading everyones experience I dont think i will give it to my babie. I will have your little onm y prayers. I hope he gets better.

I have a husband who is on heavy doses of steriods due to illness....he IS having side effects and you're right - they're bad.....BUT...I know someone who's 6 year old yorkie is on them with no ill effects - She has allergies and takes them everyday - so far so good -

Good luck with your baby :) Hope he feels better !

Ask your vet about putting your yorkie on Adequan for his arthritis. I think you will find that a much safer alternative, it might even help it not to get worse. Fair warning it is pricey, they do have a generic but I personally do not recommend it. Dawn

I have had 2 dogs on steriods for allergies and they do drink alot and have to pee alot. They both also gained weight while they were on them. As soon as allergy season was done and I took them off they were fine. However, both of my dogs were 60 lbs so it might be more dangerous in a small dog. It would scare me in a small dog. Hope you find an alternative for your baby!

I'm sure there are times when steroids are a last resort. Ringo has had some allergy issures going on. He's only 9 months old. I was so afraid to take him to the vet because I thought they'd give him a steroid shot. I thought I could figure out what the problem was on my own. He was chewing his skin until it was raw and bleeding. I knew I had to do something. I finally took him in after about 4 days of this. They took a blood test to see what he was allergic to. She said then we will give him shots. I freaked out. She explained to me that it wasn't steriod shots but allergy shots. A small dose of whatever he's allergic to is given to him so his body will learn to fight it off. I thought "COOL"!. Anyway...we are waiting on his test results and I'll tell you what happens next. The test cost $149. The shots are $150 for a year. Which comes out to $12.50 a month. He shouldn't need them after a year. I'll let everyone know how this goes. It's worth a shot. Anyway, look for other alternatives to steroids, if you can! :) Your baby's knees will hurt more if he puts on that steroid weight. My mom's beagle looked like stuffed sausage after taking steroids for grass allergies. He eventually died of cancer. I'll try to find you some info on dog arthritis. I suffer back pain myself and they wanted to shoot me up with steroids and I told them I'd try therapy first. It's working. Good luck!

http://www.doggiesparadise.com/steroids.shtml

My one cat, age 11, has been on steroids for the past month for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. However, I would be very reluctant to put any animal on steroids for arthritis. There are some wonderful options out there, whether something like Cosequin, or as someone else mentioned, Adequan, which I have used with my horses, for arthritis.

If you do decide to go with the steroids, know this...the vet should issue a starting dosage for an agreed-to time period, say two weeks or a month. Then the vet should have you gradually taper off the dosage until you find the dosage that makes your baby comfortable. That may be a larger dose, a smaller dose or nothing.

I have a large breed dog who is 13 and on Cosequin for arthritis. She has done wonderfully well on it.

Good luck with your decision and with your baby's ailment.

Good idea Missnmybaby. I should have mentioned the feed thru supplements too. I think for me it would depend on the severity of the arthritis.
If it is severe I would go straight to adequan but if it is less severe I think Cosequin or one of the others is a good idea.If you decide to go that route do try and get a supplement that also has MSM and vitamin C in it. The Vitamin C will help with absorption.
I would consult my vet before making a final decision of course.

Have you been with this vet a long time. One thing someone mentioned, I feel is a
very good point and you might ask your vet about - if there is weight gain won't
that affect his knees in a negative way even more?????????

I have been going to this vet for about 4 years and it has a very solid reputation(they have been in the neighborhood since the late 50's),but there are about 8 doctors there.This particular young doctor is very pleasant and seemed to think since non steroid anti-inflammatories didn't work, that steroid ones were the next step.This seemed logical enough, but when I asked about side effects, she told me a lowered immune system ( he could possibly pick up a secondary infection)and diabetes. She didn't mention any of the other things everyone has told me about. Needless to say, those first two were so serious, a big red flag went up.I just don't feel it is wise to give meds that have more serious side effects than the condition you are treating.Why risk it? Our little muffins are too important! Anyway, many thanks to everyone who took the time to respond, it was just wonderful! I almost forgot I give my baby Synflex( a liquid glucosamine supplement) ,but I have heard good things about Cosequin.Is this better?Maybe I should post this in the health section.Well, goodnight all!