Should I be avoiding prednisolone like the plague?

Status
Not open for further replies.
FurBabiesMama

FurBabiesMama

Member Since 2017
A couple of weeks ago, the hair above Willow's right eye became very thin, and she had little sores/scabs appear, apparently, from scratching herself. (There is a little bit of this on the left side too, but not nearly as bad.) My first thought was that it was an allergic reaction to something she had eaten. The vet thought the same thing. A few new things had recently been introduced (one being Fortiflora), so it was not far fetched that this had happened.

All new things were immediately stopped, and the vet told me to clean the area twice a day with Chlorhexidine and apply a very thin film of Tritop (steroid ointment) then rub it in. She wanted me to give Prednisolone, too, but I am super paranoid about giving oral steroids, so I refused. She said the prescription was there for me should I change my mind. After almost a week, we noticed it looking really red and irritated. So, I stopped doing those things for a couple of days until I heard back from the vet. She said it was VERY highly unlikely that either of the things we were using were causing it to be worse, and she suggested I start the Tritop again. So, I did (though I have since been cleaning with just a warm, wet cloth rather than the Chlorhexidine).

It may be getting a little better, but it is really hard to tell. I started noticing that the hair on her tail has also thinned out some. I was not too worried because she was acting and eating normal, but the last couple of days, she seems to be eating less, and she seems to be laying around more than normal. Yesterday, I noticed a few wet spots around where she was laying. I have no idea if it was just from her having licked herself and the wetness transferred, or if she drooled, or if something that I have not found is oozing, or even if she dribbled some pee (the mind comes up with all kinds of things to explain wets spots). Just a few minutes ago, I noticed a lot of wetness on her mouth. I wiped it with a cloth and tried to get a look at her mouth but really did not see anything concerning.

I'm so worried about her. I acknowledge that I am at the point that I may be writing too much into every little thing I see. The main point of this novel is to get input on whether I should go ahead and give her prednisolone for a little while or if I have been correct to avoid it completely. I do not want to make my baby suffer with this but I also do not want to bring on new problems for her. The vet says using it for a short time will not cause issues, but I have a hard time trusting that.
 
I can only give my history with it.

Jones was on prednisolone for 2 months before he became FD.
My civvie was on it for a week then for another 2 weeks going down in dose for her asthma. She had no issues - I tested. ;)

There have been people here that have used it for a week or two. They have seen higher numbers but they went down once the prednisolone was stopped. @Pamela & Amethyst I think was one.
 
Thanks, @Tracey&Jones. Did it help with the asthma (Willow has that, too)? Once you stopped, didn't any improvements go away?

By the way, I know what the wet spots were. I found her drooling. I mean full-on drooling like a big dog. It freaked me out. I do not see anything wrong with her mouth (not that I can get the best look at it). Her Zyrtec dose was recently doubled, and I found that 'hypersalivation' was on the list of possible side effects. I hope that is all that it is, because the other possible causes of drooling do not sound good at all.
 
Phoebe was on pred for 7 days and developed FD. Now whether she was developing FD before and the pred just pushed it over. I don't know. But if they need it, they need it and you just dose around.
 
I don't think she has any teeth issues. She has had dental care, and her mouth was checked as part of her annual wellness visit two weeks ago. I am really hoping it was the increased Zyrtec dose. I did not give her any Zyrtec yesterday. So, far, I have not noticed any further drooling. I will be keeping my eye on it though.
 
Hi Amethyst was diagnosed with Asthma when she was only 2:( She has been on A Flovent inhaler since then We have a ProAir rescue inhaler for emergencies but I do not let her get to that point instead I ask for Prednisolone for 14 days to get her feeling well Once that stops her numbers become better You can see that on her SS Good Luck:)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top