If the prednisone has been stopped....the dog should quiet down relatively quickly. Like, within 48 hours he should be pretty much back to normal.
Our dog was on 20 mg twice a day, and he's 70 pounds. And THAT was too much for him (and us) to cope with the frantic side effects and peeing.
Hi ! Thank you for your note. I would have responded earlier, but we took my dog back to the vet... actually the ER. He is still panting like crazy and he's been panting so much that the vet couldn't even listen to his heart and/or run really any tests. They said that it is probably still the Prednisone, but to monitor his condition closely and then follow-up for additional testing. Obviously I'm not taking him back to that other vet ever again.
I am so upset with that vet because I think she overdosed him and I'm uspet with myself because I almost questioned the dosage and I didn't.
Whew!!! Yes, I worried about him all night...I'm so glad he's better....I was basing my response on a 16lb. dog that took 5mg. 2@day. Then 5mg. every other day as a maintaince dose. (For what we thought was IBD, also). *Steroids cause excessive thirst, frequent urination, and excessive hunger. IMO, the panting, nervousness, shaking, means the dose is too high. It's just like "Speed". The heart races and it's dangerous...In a Senior, your more likely to have "heart failure" as the heart cannot tolerate this sudden onset of rapid beating for too long.....I have a heart failure furkid and I know the risk of him taking Pred. The risk outweighs the benefits of the medication...Anyway, I'm glad your both better and keep us posted.......Karla
Poor guy... that's terrible ! My other dog, who died from ITP only 2 weeks after getting her second Parvo vaccination, had a stomach ulcer from Prednisone. She ended up bleeding out of course because of the ITP and we spent thousands of dollars trying to save her, but it didn't work. It was heartbreaking. I just dread the day when I lose my boy... he's my buddie and my first dog ever. I've had him since he was a puppy.
We had to put our dog in diapers, he peed all over the place, running around dribbling everywhere when he was on Prednisone.
I know... the new vet screwed up. I just didn't want to go there last night because I'm still upset. I had already taken him to a specialist and even questioned her about the dosage... that is why I immediately tapered down. When I got the original prescription, I thought that was an awfully high dosage, but I didn't question her and I regret it. My dog is still upset with me. (no joking either).
He's doing better today... but still has a little bit of shaking. Thank goodness. I didn't sleep well last night because I was so concerned about it.
I'm probably going to be switching vets... but the vet sounded apologetic last night when I spoke with her about this. She now wants him to take 10 MG every other day... that sounds reasonable, but I'm going to give him a break first.
We still don't have a diagnosis, but we've ruled out many conditions.... including all of those (tick fever, valley fever, etc.) where steriods would make him worse. He has chronic diarrhea and has had this condition since he was a puppy... but it has gotten worse. But in all honesty... no other symptoms. Everyone tells me that he looks and acts like a puppy... he still plays with his adopted sister, who is a very big puppy (and will always be... LOL!)