CockersOnline Forum

Cocker Specific Discussion => Health => Topic started by: Jaysmumagain on September 14, 2021, 08:26:19 AM

Title: Steriod reduction worries
Post by: Jaysmumagain on September 14, 2021, 08:26:19 AM
Ol has had predicare  5mg since this January, I was told he would have to stay on them.  When asked about reducing them because of weight gain I was told it may cause his throat problem to be more bothersome. ( He has growth there)

Hubby took Ollie for 6 mths check up and young vet suggested dropping dose to half, I rang and said I was told by main vet he had to remain on 5mg and as she was on leave it was agreed to stay on it.
yesterday when ordering his meds I had a call back saying he should drop to 2.5mg as had been on the 5mg to long.  I was thinking of the top of my head and said fine and how should I get him done to 2.5mg, straight away she said.  I only have 2 of the 5mg left and have tried to cut in half and it is impossible. ( only make 5mg and 1mg)

I am panicking a bit as you can tell.  I understand a wee bit of steriod use having asthma and you would reduce it very gradually not cut dose in half.

I am wondering how to approach vets that I am alarmed and not happy at the sudden reduction and prefer a more gradual weaning down and also ask why they are not giving me 1mg tabs then I could wean him down and have more accuracy.

Have really got in a state over this.  I really want to get him down to less steriod as it has such dreadful implications - I just fell dropping it quickly is wrong and implication - spent so much time reading up online and everything points to what I feel.
Title: Re: Steriod reduction worries
Post by: Mudmagnets on September 14, 2021, 10:28:56 AM
Think I would be worried too if you have been told by usual vet to reduce gradually if at all (seems a logical thing to do) maybe you could insist to the practice that you don't want to change things whilst your usual vet is away, seems a bit odd for a young vet to go against what you have already been told.

If they are adamant, maybe get some 1mg and give 3 a day until your vet comes back from holiday? I do believe your wishes & experience should be taken into consideration tho.

 Hope you can get it sorted to your satisfaction :bigarmhug: :bigarmhug:
Title: Re: Steriod reduction worries
Post by: Jaysmumagain on September 14, 2021, 12:19:24 PM
Well a vet who my husband likes is phoning me back. He has respect and faith in her when she has seen Ollie.

I am going to ask if they will agree to a gradual plan using 1 mg tabs, on US site it suggest this.

Plus having cut 5mg in half today was not easy, I ended up still giving 5mg today but tab was in bits and Ollie had pile 30mins later.   I know myself breaking tabs in half can leave awful taste.

If not I will ask him to remain on same dose till main vet returns.

Thank you am struggling with doing best for him - he is my darling boy.

Title: Re: Steriod reduction worries
Post by: bizzylizzy on September 14, 2021, 01:06:41 PM
I agree with Mudmagnets, 3 x 1mg sounds a much better option, it also has the advantage of reducing it in  controlled way so you can assess how its working, cutting in half is a bit hit and miss and you never really know how much he‘s having.
I can imagine how you‘re feeling, I‘d be exactly the same, hope your own vet isn’t away for too long ?
  :bigarmhug: to you and Ollie!  :luv:
Title: Re: Steriod reduction worries
Post by: Jaysmumagain on September 14, 2021, 01:53:56 PM
Well the vet called and listened to my concerns and agreed to a slow reduction - she said it would give a good idea of what reduced dose may suit him and we could find a good level  - so I am giving him 4mg for 2 or 3 weeks dependant on how he copes, then down to 3mg.  So as Jayne said more managed way.

Reading between the lines today I feel that the main vet may not have thought back in January that there was such long term picture.

Well time waits for no man (or woman) and my boss needs a walk.

Jump to it Julie
Title: Re: Steriod reduction worries
Post by: Finvarra on September 14, 2021, 02:01:40 PM
My OH was very ill two years ago (long story). He was on steroids for a quite a while, and he had to reduce them gradually as the doc told him he would have unpleasant symptoms if stopped suddenly. Don't know if it's the same for dogs, but it would seem sensible to me.
Dylan had his teeth cleaned a month ago, and it was discovered he had lip fold dermatitis. He had a 2 week course of antibiotics and steroids, and by the end of the second week he was quite subdued and down in the mouth. My vet said steroids can sometimes make them depressed. Been stopped a fortnight now, and he is back to normal.
I hate seeing the young vets when my older ones are away, I always worry about their lack of experience, so I sympathise with you. Hope you can get it sorted to your satisfaction.
Hugs for Ollie.
Lesley and Dylan
Title: Re: Steriod reduction worries
Post by: Mudmagnets on September 14, 2021, 06:37:41 PM
Well the vet called and listened to my concerns and agreed to a slow reduction - she said it would give a good idea of what reduced dose may suit him and we could find a good level  - so I am giving him 4mg for 2 or 3 weeks dependant on how he copes, then down to 3mg.  So as Jayne said more managed way.

Reading between the lines today I feel that the main vet may not have thought back in January that there was such long term picture.

Well time waits for no man (or woman) and my boss needs a walk.

Jump to it Julie

Keeping fingers crossed things go well  :luv:
Title: Re: Steriod reduction worries
Post by: AndyB on September 15, 2021, 05:55:58 PM
My understanding is that steroids should be reduced very gradually, especially if Ollie has been on these steroids for a long time.  A couple of my previous cockers have been prescribed steroids at one stage and the advice has always been that the dose should be reduced very gradually over a period of several weeks.