My vet prescribed it to my shih-tzu for his allergies, but I was concerned because it's a steroid. It is working though, and he seldom scratches now. Is it totally safe for him to take daily?
2006-09-18 14:35:08 · 15 answers · asked by devinshell 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I meant prednisone. (sorry)
2006-09-18 14:44:12 · update #1
Your vet is probably going to wean him off this medication. On a short term basis, this is fine. Long term, not good. Can cause kidney problems.
You may notice he wants to drink more and urinate more. Don't punish him if he has an accident.
Also, this is not a medication that you can just stop using - he must be slowly weaned off so as to not have any adverse side effects. Very nice to have in severe allergy prone pets. If you can find the cause and treat the cause of the allergy, it is much better than to treat the symptoms. Good luck.
2006-09-18 14:39:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is safe for short term, but long term it may be harmful. I am surprised the vet wants you to give it daily...some people treat bi-weekly for allergy and itching with this med, and it still seems to get the job done. How much do you give it daily..a 5 mg tablet? Make sure he gets the smallest possible dose.
2006-09-18 22:29:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My vet gave my dog a shot depo-medrol (which is also a steroid). She said it wasn't good for him to have them but every few months, and just during allergy season. I'm not sure about prednisone though.
2006-09-18 21:47:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ok, when I worked for a vet, I have found out that most of the medicine they give animals is the same as for humans..... I would just call a vet and you will need to know how much , the animal weights and talk to the vet about how much.
2006-09-18 21:42:55 · answer #4 · answered by wandah07 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's the most common thing they prescribe for the dog! just make sure you only give the dog what the doctor prescribed ,nothing else! It should work within couple of days.
2006-09-18 21:39:03 · answer #5 · answered by silverearth1 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i'd say you'd have to bring that up with a qualified vet and not rely on people's answers here. take a look at some of the stupid things people say on here and think about how much you want your dog to survive the week. don't mean to be too gruff, but as a dog owner, i'd never trust anyone but a good vet on questions like this.
2006-09-18 21:37:35 · answer #6 · answered by yp_charles_hartford 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
its okay for short term use but for long term it can cause some serious problems like liver damage and or kidney damage. i would talk to your vet if its for long term use about finding an alternative. my sisters dog is now dying from liver damage due to a steroid that he has to take to survive a muscle disease that is also killing him.
2006-09-18 21:46:05 · answer #7 · answered by rose45 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Steriods are very hard one the body, theirs and ours. small dose short term is ok, but I would weigh the benefits. Are his allergies really bad? I probably wouldn't unless it was for a life threatening illness, and I have used it for that.
2006-09-18 22:26:02 · answer #8 · answered by whpptwmn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Short term it's O.K ,but long term it's hard on the dogs system.Liver and kidney . Benydryl works. and there are topical treatments too.
2006-09-19 00:03:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give it as directed by the vet and make him/her give you a list of it's side effects....if you notice any of them, notify him/her immediately for further instructions....if not you and your pet should be a-ok.
2006-09-18 21:38:22 · answer #10 · answered by Kiss my Putt! 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋