My cat is on prednisone for asthma. He's been taking more than usual lately. Tonight I got home and he is so weird--running around, crying constantly. He finally stopped crying, but now he's just laying there. The only time he groomed was when he was aroused--and he's neutered. Are behavioral changes normal with prednisone?
2007-02-27 18:22:58 · 3 answers · asked by kimpenn09 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
I'm not an expert, but my last cat was on Prednisone for about 4-6 years. I never saw behavior like that. In fact her behavior didn't change at all - the only differences I saw was that she started peeing like a racehorse and it's possible her appetite increased. In any case, it was all physical.
2007-02-28 01:15:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Neutered cats can become aroused and some may even try to go through the actions of breeding. You dont mention the age of the cat or how long he's been on the prednisone or the dosage he's receiving. Generally corticosteroids such as prednisone will make a cat drink more water and also urinate more, stimulate appetite so that the cat gets hungrier and wants to eat more, and reduces inflammation or allergic reactions. Its likely that something else altogether is causing the change you're seeing in your cat. Check his gum color, it should be a healthy pink (you say he is just laying there, so make sure he's breathing well and pink gum color shows that theres enough blood and oxygen getting through his system, a good quick indicator to look at.) Another possibility is that he has a urinary problem also going on, make sure that he is able to urinate all right. A cat with urinary problems will usually try to go but produce little or no urine. If you have the slightest suspicion that he cannot urinate, get him to the vet immediately, a cat that cannot urinate is an emergency. The fact that you say he was aroused, is also a possible indicator of a urinary problem.
If he is urinating ok and seems all right, then ask your vet in the morning about the behaviors you are seeing and ask if pred might possibly cause such symptoms. The vet is the one who can definitively answer and advise you.
2007-02-27 18:36:54 · answer #2 · answered by TheSnakeWhisperer 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Prednisone is a steroid. It alters water balance, metabolism, immunity, and even in humans there is a thing called steroid psychosis.
Have your vet check on the dosing and alternate meds if your cat is having a bad reaction to the prednisone.
2007-02-27 18:29:55 · answer #3 · answered by cavu_13 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, we had a neutered male cat that had skin problems and he was on prednisone. Unfortunately, after using it several times, he started to have seizures. He finally had one seizure too many and died. It was sad, but at least he did not drive himself crazy digging at his skin and causing bleeding sores. Sometimes quality of life is better than quantity of life.
2007-02-27 21:00:36 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
catnip does wonders with our cats - watched them instead of the oscars
might be a good time to call the vet in the morning - and just ask - see if he is taking too much - and isn't he supposed to be winding down on it?
doesn't he read the instructions?
Dogs have masters
Cats have staff!
2007-02-27 18:28:06 · answer #5 · answered by tomkat1528 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋