Steroids to treat asthma and arthritis in elderly, diabetic cat

[Diane M]

Muffin, nearly 15, has been diabetic since January 2019 and it is controlled mostly at 5 units Lantus per day (3 am and 2pm though I saw a post that suggested the morning and evening dose is better if they are equal so will adjust accordingly).
She has bouts of asthma a few times per week and I give her 2.5 mg prednisoline if the asthma is worse or seems to trouble her.
But her arthritis/neuropathy seems to be bothering her a lot more these days and she does respond well to a more regular dose of prednisalone (2.5 mg every other day).
My question is: given her age and quality of life issues, is there any reason not to continue with the prednisalone at 2.5 mg every other day (which our vet says is essentially an anti-inflammatory dose) so that she feels less pain and enjoys life more ? Is the issue only that the steroids may increase BG, in which case we’d monitor and increase the Lantus if necessary? Or are there other problems?
I just want to treat her strictly for best quality of life for as long as she is with us without causing her worse harm.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

If you think she needs the prednisolone daily, then we just work around the dose to make it work.
I cant see any other problems but I will tag @Suzanne & Darcy to get her input.
There is no doubt that pred reduces inflammation.
Please make sure you get tests in at least once per cycle if you can as well as the preshot BG and don't forget that the PM cycle is just as important as the am cycle so try and get a test in during each pm cycle if you can.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Some cats have medical issues that require steroids. Asthma can be one of those conditions. Had your vet ever suggested an inhaler? Inhaled steroids don't have the same systemic effect as oral steroids. If you know that Muffin needs the oral steroid and she'd otherwise doing well, just adjust the insulin dose as you need to. I can't comment on the dose since your data isn't current.