She had near 0 platlet count on October 5th. After taking harsh doses of prednisone (100 mg a day) for a week, she was up to a platelet count of 220,000.
For the past two weeks I have had her on 50mg a day. Now she is at a platelet count of 217,000.
My vet wants her to stay on this 50mg a day for the next 30 days.
Will this cause any potential long term effects? I know she has a much stronger appetite and urinates (plus drinks) more frequently. I'm just hoping this doesn't do more to her system than that.
Any thoughts on predisone? I know it was a life saver literally in the short term. I'm nervouse about too much use though.
2007-10-26 08:35:45 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I almost lost my Great Dane to the same disorder!! It is scary and I hope that your little girl pulls through this, like my girl did.
Anyway, to answer your question, she needs to be on the prednisone like the vet says. When the time is right, they should taper her off the drug, you can't just stop giving it to her. My girl was on pred for about 2 months.
2007-10-26 08:43:12 · answer #1 · answered by Marnia 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a dog who went through the same thing - it was a long, hard battle to save his life. He also had near 0 platelet count and was on a lot of meds. I can't remember what his initial dose of prednisone was, but I do know that his maintenance dose (for the rest of his life) was only 5 mg a day. Even at that, and with him still being pretty active, he really packed on the weight. We cut down the poor dog's food, no treats, he still got plenty of exercise, but the weight stayed way up.
You might want to discuss with your vet. Ask if she'll have to be on prednisone after the 30 days. Maybe there are alternatives now that might be easier on the dog. Hope your girl will be ok!
2007-10-26 08:43:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Usually, after the 30 days of being on prednisone, your vet will run blood work again, to check her platelet values. Then most likely, they will try to taper, or lessen the dose of prednisone. From what I have heard, ITP dogs may need to be on prednisone therapy long term. Other patients don'g need to be, it is all different with each individual patient. Here is some info about therapy for Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia, from www.veterinarypartner.com (go to this website and type in the disease for more info)...
Therapy for Immune Mediated Platelet Destruction
Once a tentative diagnosis of immune-mediated platelet destruction has been made, the goal in therapy is to stop the phagocytes of the spleen from removing the antibody-coated platelets and cutting off antibody production. This, of course, means suppressing the immune system using whatever combination of medication seems to work best for the individual patient.
Prednisoneor Dexamethasone
These steroid hormones are the first line of defense and often are all that is necessary to bring platelet counts back up. Unfortunately, long-term use should be expected and this means steroid side effects are eventually inevitable: excessive thirst, possible urinary tract infection, panting, poor hair coat etc. The good news is that these effects should resolve once medication is discontinued; further, if side effects are especially problematic, other medications can be brought in to reduce the dose of steroid needed.
Vincristine
This injectable medication is mildly immune suppressive but also seems to stimulate a sudden burst of platelet release from the marrow megakaryocytes. The platelets released in response to vincristine contain a phagocyte toxin so that when spleen phagocytes ultimately eat them, the phagocytes will die. While repeated injections of vincristine ultimately do not yield the same effect, at least a one-time dose may be extremely helpful. One should note that vincristine is extremely irritating if delivered outside of the vein. It must be given IV cleanly or the overlying tissue will slough.
Androgens
Male hormones may have some masculinizing side effects but they do seem to cut production of anti-platelet antibodies. It also seems to synergize with the corticosteroid hormones like prednisone and dexamethasone. Danazol has been the androgen typically recommended in the treatment of immune-mediated platelet destruction with weight gain being the most common side effect.
Azathioprineor Cyclophosphamide
These are stronger immune suppressive agents typically used in cancer chemotherapy. If steroid side effects are unacceptable or if the patient does not respond to steroids alone, one of these medications may be indicated. Cyclosporine, a newer medication made popular in organ transplantation, also may be used, but expense has been problematic.
I would contact your vet again, and just discuss the concerns you have with them. Or, you could get a second opinion at another vet, or a specialty referral practice or veteriary college where they will have board certified internal medicine vets.
Good luck!
2007-10-26 08:46:06 · answer #3 · answered by lakotamalik09 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you have much choice. Sometimes it's the worst of two evils. Altho Prednisone has a bad rep, I had a dog on it for several years. Weight gain was the only problem that I noticed. Had she not taken the prednisone, she would have been in doggie heaven.
I would trust my vet. If you are not totally comfortable with that, get a second vet opinion. Never hurts to see what a different vet has to say.
2007-10-26 08:43:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well I've had a dog on pred for over 6 years! Admittedly this is for a different problem(Addison's) and at a far lesser dose.
There is a slight chance of liver damage but fortunately the liver is one of the more regenerative organs so if bloodwork shows trouble a reduced dose often allows it to recover.
One thing you should know - dogs on pred sometimes (not always) get rather grumpy.
2007-10-26 16:09:49 · answer #5 · answered by ragapple 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a trade-off of living with prednisone and its effects or dying from an autoimmune disease that is eventually fatal. There really isn't much of a choice in the decision. I am assuming your dog has an autoimmune case rather than one caused by a virus or infection that might clear up? If so, it is a lifelong battle to suppress her immune system so it doesn't attack her own body.
2007-10-26 08:42:00 · answer #6 · answered by mama woof 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i was in the same spot as you with my husky who gets seasonal allergies and was on 3 to 5 prenisone a day most of the summer plus benedryl. after taking him off the meds he became very itchy and feverish etc. i called the vet who said to start him back on the meds until he was comforable then wean him off.she said the dogs comfort was the most important and if it keeps him happy and comfy not to worry about the prenisone.so that is what i am doing. making him happy and giving him the meds without worrying about the side affects which she said were not as bad as most people think.do what your vet suggests and keep your pet happy and and pain free. best of luck. ps if the dog starts showing signs of her illness start the meds again.
2007-10-26 09:08:24 · answer #7 · answered by john n 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why are you asking unqualified strangers? If you question your vet's capabilities (and you seem to be doing just that since you obviously aren't asking your VET), then get a second opinion from another vet! Why is that so difficult for you people to understand? Do you mean to tell me that you would take whatever a stranger on here tells you and do it?! That is not only foolish but potentially harmful.
2007-10-26 08:49:55 · answer #8 · answered by D 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
have you discussed your concern with your vet? did you ask him these same questions? if your vet prescribed it for her and for a certain amount of time, i am sure he knows what he is doing. i would be asking him these questions and sharing my concern with him. good luck and i hope your dog i ok.
2007-10-26 08:43:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋