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[Cfh123]

My dog had a medical adventure this weekend. She ate something off the ground she shouldn't have. About an hour later she had some serious symptoms. She is a bulldog mix and her hobby is hoovering stuff of the ground, which I try to prevent. She is ok now but it was an expensive day - X-ray, CT-scan, bloodwork. All fine but it cost a lot.

That is not the point of my story. My point is what came next. The vet prescribed some pills - antibiotics and anti-inflammatory. I thought no big deal.

I noticed my dog is drinking a huge amount of water. She had an accident last night which is unheard of for my dog. She seems restless and somewhat out of sorts. So I decide to check on the internet what is on the label of the anti-inflammatory pills - prednisone.

WTF

Prednisone is a very powerful steroid, with potentially major side effects. My dog is drinking so much water so she can metabolize this pill/poison. It is powerful enough that at too high a dose it can destroy my dog's organs.

I emailed my vet to ask if I can stop the prednisone because my dog seems fine now.

The moral of the story is ask your vet about side effects of the pills being prescribed. I wish my vet had told me what a powerful drug prednisone was. I had no idea.

 

[Catphish]

Good lookin out. Glad your pup is on the mend.

 

[Trilobit]

All this talk about powerful drugs makes me want to try out prednisone.

Me and your dog:

 

[Catphish]

All this talk about powerful drugs makes me want to try out prednisone.

In my experience it's like drinking too much coffee, which is not a pleasant feeling.

 

[Majima Everywhere System]

I've been on prednisone, it's like your on coke. Your dog could be fine, just coked out. Also the lows, very low.

I also almost peed on the floor myself!

 

[willothedog]

My dog has had a script of prednisone for a couple of years, 5mg every other day to control itchy skin. She is fine and my vet told me it was a steroid and possible side effects from the get-go.

 

[ClanOfNone]

Prednisone is an extremely common anti inflammatory drug for humans, didn't know they gave it to doggos as well.

I've been on it many times for my asthma and other stuff, it can definitely make you thirsty.
It is also definitely nothing like cocaine or even coffee for that matter, though my mom does have trouble sleeping on it.

 

[Cfh123]

Ok good. Maybe it is not so bad.

I realize the worst place to find medical advice is by an internet search, the result of which is invariably you are doomed.

 

[Grildon Tundy]

That vet messed up not telling you about prednisone's side effects. Just a few months ago, I had to give it to my dog, and the vet made it clear it makes many dogs wildly thirsty. It's a well-known side effect. Also, you're not supposed to abruptly cut the dosage--gotta taper down once they've started on it.

 

[falconhoof]

My dog takes prednisone, he's on a course for life. Currently 1/4 tab every other day, though we bump it up if he has any issues.

You should absolutely be aware of the side effects. Peeing, thirst, slow hair growth and potential bald spots (though I believe that's issues with long term use).

In the early days of him having it I was told that any change had to be tapered and couldn't be instant. So when first coming off he had to just keep reducing the amount down. I did that until the symptoms reappeared then we found the balance that worked for him.

 

[Cfh123]

The vet is not in until tomorrow. A vet assistant said I should keep giving it until I hear back tomorrow from the vet.

I'm not thrilled about giving her another half pill of this stuff (the pills are 50 mg/pill).

 

[ClanOfNone]

The vet is not in until tomorrow. A vet assistant said I should keep giving it until I hear back tomorrow from the vet.

I'm not thrilled about giving her another half pill of this stuff (the pills are 50 mg/pill).

I ain't a vet or a doctor, but 50mg seems like a pretty high dosage for a doggo. I weight about 170, and my starting dosage is usually 25/30 mg daily tapering down rapidly after that. A typical human regimen only lasts about a week or so.

 

[falconhoof]

The vet is not in until tomorrow. A vet assistant said I should keep giving it until I hear back tomorrow from the vet.

I'm not thrilled about giving her another half pill of this stuff (the pills are 50 mg/pill).

50mg, wow. My dog is a small Boston Terrier, about 6KG. He takes 1/4 of 5mg, so 50 is huge.

 

[Catphish]

It is also definitely nothing like cocaine or even coffee for that matter, though my mom does have trouble sleeping on it.

I guess that depends on the person, because it sure as hell was for me.

"In addition to mood changes, prednisone can increase energy levels. Some people may not mind this side effect, but others may feel unpleasantly jittery. It can also make it harder to concentrate."

https://www.goodrx.com/prednisone/what-do-i-need-to-know-before-taking-prednisone

 

[ReBurn]

Prednisone makes you drink a lot and eat a lot and pee a lot. It is known.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

That vet messed up not telling you about prednisone's side effects. Just a few months ago, I had to give it to my dog, and the vet made it clear it makes many dogs wildly thirsty. It's a well-known side effect. Also, you're not supposed to abruptly cut the dosage--gotta taper down once they've started on it.

Does the notice mention this? Many people absolutely don't know the first thing you read is the supplied leaflet, the text is validated by FDA before the drug can be sold.
Both of my parents are pharmacists so it's been a reflex of mine since I was 15 to always read what is written on the leaflet.

 

[poppabk]

One of my old dogs used to be on an opiate drug and we had to get it from the regular pharmacist. Was always weird going to CVS and asking for it.

 

[Nydius]

I had a cat that had severe inflammatory bowel issues and she had to take prednisolone (the active form of prednisone that doesn't require liver conversion, better for cats) and she had much of the same initial reaction as your dog. But she was only on a 5mg dose as a 15 pound cat.

But 50mg? Holy shit. That seems like a dosage they'd give a Great Dane or equally as large of a dog, not a bulldog mix.

As a human who's been on prednisone, I can tell you from experience that increased hunger and thirst are well known effects. It also makes you feel like you're 15 years younger and full of energy for the first week you're on it, then you hit a plateau. If you don't taper off properly to let your adrenal glands adjust accordingly, you will be absolutely miserable and feel like death. That's why in most cases it's only a very short term treatment.