Tapering off Prednisolone?

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Rachel S

Rachel S

Member Since 2016
Racecar has been on prednisilone for 19 days, for possible liver disease. He was on 5 mg/day for 7 days and then increased to 10 mg/day for 12 days. My vet and I have decided to discontinue it. She said we do not need to wean him off, because he hasn't been on it long. Does anyone know if this is true? If not, can you suggest an appropriate dosing schedule for tapering?

Thank you!
 
It is always good to taper off if on longer than 2 weeks and a large dose.
Fritz has asthma and takes it off and on.
I taper him off by lowering dose amount and do that for a few days then I do an every other day for a few days then off.
 
DebG said:
It is always good to taper off if on longer than 2 weeks and a large dose.
Fritz has asthma and takes it off and on.
I taper him off by lowering dose amount and do that for a few days then I do an every other day for a few days then off.
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Thank you DebG! I would feel more comfortable using your approach.
 
@DebG -

Thank you so much for this information. I have not yet given up on trying to get a short course of oral steroids for Saoirse and information like this is invaluable to me in trying to build a case to take back to her vets.

:bighug:


Mogs
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Deb is TOTALLY correct. You NEVER stop steroids all at once:

"
Stopping Steroids Abruptly
Steroids, also called corticosteroids, are synthetic versions of hormones normally produced by your kitty's adrenal glands, which help to reduce inflammation in the body. After your kitty starts taking steroids, his body needs to adjust for the increased levels of corticosteroid hormones the medications are providing for him. Because the hormones are coming from an outside source, namely the steroid-based medications you're giving him, his adrenal glands stop producing these hormones on their own. They go into a resting state and, in cases whereby steroids are given for a longer-period of time, they may even atrophy. This is what causes an issue for your kitty if you abruptly stop this medication; the adrenal glands won't simply start making these hormones immediately. Without these hormones in his system or a way to make them, he can go into shock or die without emergency medical attention."

"
Addison's Disease
When steroid medications are stopped abruptly and your kitty's body can't produce these hormones naturally, he goes into what is called "Addisonian crisis." Corticosteroid hormones regulate your kitty's levels of glucose, potassium, sodium and chloride. Without a proper balance of these chemicals in his body, your furry friend may experience severe dehydration and problems with his vital organs. This may lead to a condition called Addison's disease, also known as hyperadrenocorticism, in which the adrenal glands don't function properly. This condition sometimes requires hospitalization to stabilize your kitty and supplement him with adrenal hormones to prevent collapse and death. If your furry friend appears weak, vomits or collapses, get him to the vet immediately. Tell the vet that you have recently stopped his steroid medication."



http://pets.thenest.com/can-steroids-cats-discontinued-abruptly-11134.html
 
@Tuxedo Mom -

A very valuable post, Mary Ann; thank you.

Tuxedo Mom said:
You NEVER stop steroids all at once:
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Questions:

Several times cats of mine have been given one-off steroid jabs with no mention from the treating vets about any potential after-effects. Do you, by any chance, know how long yer average steroid jab stays in the system and the effect it might have on the body's own corticosteroid production? Also, do you know about any treatment duration guidelines for use of steroids which might mitigate the negative effects they have on the body's own corticosteroid mechanisms? (Not sure if I've phrased that very well.)


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
@Tuxedo Mom -

A very valuable post, Mary Ann; thank you.


Question:

Several times cats of mine have been given one-off steroid jabs with no mention from the treating vets about any potential after-effects. Do you, by any chance, know how long yer average steroid jab stays in the system and the effect it might have on the body's own corticosteroid production? Also, do you know about any treatment duration guidelines for use of steroids which might mitigate the effects they have on the body's own corticosteroid mechanisms? (Not sure if I've phrased that very well.)


Mogs
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Was the injection Depo medrol?

ETA Generic name is: Methylprednisolone
 
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[
QUOTE="Critter Mom, post: 1687621, member: 10789"]I've no idea what they used, Mary Ann. (Wasn't as clued up then about checking as I am now. :oops:)


Mogs
.[/QUOTE]


Depo Medrol is one of the most commonly used injectable steroids. It is very often used for kitties with IBD. The effects of the injection can take up to 4 weeks to wear off depending on the dose given.

All medication carry a risk. With depo:

"
  • While generally safe and effective when prescribed by a veterinarian, methylprednisolone can cause side effects in some animals.
  • It basically comes down to weighing out the benefits against the possible side effects
 
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