Steroid tretment for itching

[rubyduby]

My girl is now on fle treatment and was so itchy was put on a steroid tablet course to relieve the itching, however having read the problems steroids can cause I now wish I had looked elsewhere for treatment or relied on the flea course, she is on a steroid for 1 month two tablets a  day going down to 1 a day (split am/pm) but she is quiet and as started urinAtng in the house which is a side effect (apparently0) has anyone else used this sort of treatment and what was the outcome, I am going to contact the vet and get them off them asap , but the details say weaning can take 2 weeks to a month, the vet gave no instructions on how to give them (with food) nor any of the possible problems....as usual

[Jaysmumagain]

While it was many years ago my Westie had a history of skin flare ups and was given prednisolone for this - I cannot remember the dose....just the fact that I myself have had them in the past for asthma.  Also Jay my cocker was given them to just aid his well being when he had lymphoma. 

For the skin flare up a course always helped and then we used steriod cream - my westie lived to a grand old age.  For myself it really is not pleasant medication at first(take 6 x 5mg tabs at once for 5 or 7 days) - but it does relieve the asthma in a matter of days. The strange thing is previously one was instructed to take them differently, 7 at once first day, then six and so on till just one on last day....which I think was better as for me I go so flat and low of mood when I finish them.

The urine is because you have a dreadful thirst....but to be honest I am not sure of the time of one month seems along time, but it may be a low strength.

It is one of those medication which have been around for years and are the front line use for so many problems.

I think contacting your vet and discussing a shorter time and how to wean ie...half tab twice daily for couple days then, half only another couple days then half every other day for couple of days, that's what I assume by weaning off....put length and actually how should be down to the vet...if it was me I would see another vet in practice to clarify.

[annclare]

You and I have been posting for a while now with the same problem - flea infestation/incessant itching - and I'm sure we're both grateful for the advice we've been given by COL. Having had cockers for more than 40 years - and other breeds prior to that - I have never before had this problem to such an extent and was at my wit's end! The vet recommended Advocate for both dogs and also Drontal Tasty Bone for worming. I have also been adding Yumega skin/coat supplement to their food daily,giving more to the itchy hound. Lintbells also do an itch dog supplement and my 12 year old is on Yumove, so their products are lining up in the cupboard! Fingers crossed, they seem much better, much less of the scratching and their coat is definitely better. The steroid treatment sounds extreme and best reduced as soon as possible. Good luck! x     

[Toofast]

Please may I ask what type of food is being used !

[annclare]

When I took my older cocker from a breeder known to me 5 years ago she recommended RC Mini Adult; likewise the breeder recommended Proplan Sensitive Skin when she brought Matte to me 2 years ago (so he's obviously always had a skin problem).

[Toofast]

Our dogs should not have to suffer continuously like this, it is such a shame.

Could you consider changing to a raw diet, there are many dogs these days who are fed the dry kibbles (which are full of various grains) that suffer with various allergies (itchy skin is one), many of which are solved by changing to a raw diet.

Good pet stores with freezers supply various meats and minces, they are clean and not messy to use. A trial would do no harm and if you get a good result that would be wonderful.

[Mudmagnets]

Worth mentioning that there are Grain Free kibbles around at the moment. Forthglade and Tribal cold pressed kibbles are both Grain Free. As are Pooch & Mutt and Fish4Dogs.

[PennyB]

The drontal is for tapeworm as advocate covers fleas and lice and worms but not tapeworm

[rubyduby]

She isn't on kibbe but a raw diet....

[rubyduby]

Well we seemed to have beaten the fleas, and on a short course of Steroids she stopped itching, but did start wetting bed, however since coming off them she has started itching and has a number of small lumps scattered around her, no sign of fleas, so kinda back to square one, but not sure what the cause is or what to do about them....wonder if this will EVER stop

[IonaD]

I can’t help with the itching but we had a few incidents of bed wetting the other week which the vet now thinks was due to a urine infection which resulted in a high ph level in her urine and an over production of urine.

She’s been on some homeopathic medicine which seems to have done the trick.

Is there maybe an animal dermatologist near you that you could take her to? (Apologies if that’s already been suggested)

I hope you get to the bottom of it. I understand how worrying and frustrating it can be for you.

Iona.x

[rubyduby]

Sadly no we seem to be in an area of second rate vets and no specialists, may try Homoepathic remedy, nothing to lose

[rubyduby]

The bed wetting seems to have stopped since the steroids were stopped

[IonaD]

Glad to hear you have solved at least one of the issues. I hope the others sort themselves out soon.x