Cortisone Side Effects

[CavsRcute]

Just wondering whether anyone has a dog that has experienced side effects from Cortisone.

My girl has had 4 days of 2 tablets per day. On the morning of the 4th day, I noticed that she was panting a lot and was becoming very restless.

Last night was a nightmare, and this was after she had been reduced to 1/2 tablet once per day.

She normally sleeps through the night but from 8.30pm( she had the tablet at 3.30pm) she was breathing hard, restless and panting. This lasted until 3.30am( 12 hours later) and then she settled down and was much better this morning.

I have rung the vet and just waiting for them to return my call.

I know you're not supposed to stop the medication suddenly, so now waiting for advice. I haven't given her a tablet today.

I hate to see her looking so frantic it went against much better judgement...I should have listened to my gut

Thanks

[Cavalier]

What is she on cortisone for?

Corticosteroids can have many side effects however they are very effective and useful drugs when used with caution.

They should be given in the morning to prevent insomnia.

Usually they are started off at a high dose (to get maximum effect) then are tapered down to a maintenance dose, where you will see much less side effects.

One of my girls has been on prednisolone for 5 years now. 10mg every 3rd day. At this dose no side effects are seen, and she has blood tests done every year to check her liver and kidneys for any side effects.

[poodle proud]

I have been on cortisone myself and have also had a friends dog on cortsione.

In the dog (who was given them for skin problems) she gained weight. She was also a bit skittish on them but I don't know if that was just her.

From personal experience at 50mg per day; increased appetitie, fluid retention, agitation.

The reason they reccomend not abruptly ceasing steroids is because the body actually produces cortisone and when these drugs are used they sort of take over this responsibility and when they are ceased the body is not used to producing suffiecient levels of natural cortisone which is why they need to be weaned off them. To start producing adequate levels of cortisone again.

I don't know what doses are considered high in dogs but I would just ring your vet and talk to them about it. It's not a particularly nice drug but as Cavalier said it can be very effective when needed.

Hope your girl is feeling better soon.

[sas]

My dog has been on Cortisone for 2 years +

He drinks more and is more hungry.

Allow her to get used to the drugs, speak to your Vet daily if you think that is what is neccessary.

[Kelly_Louise]

Could be a symptom of Iatrogenic Cushings disease... this is reversible upon ceasing medication (unless they have Cushings disease from another source).

Chloe had the same symptoms when she was on cortisone for an allergic reaction... she was so restless when we got up she had knocked things over etc - it was a mess. Panting, hungry constantly, belly swollen and eventually her coat went to pack.

However hers was not Iatrogenic Cushings - she actually has a pituitary tumour that is causing her Cushings... but the cortisone on top of that just sent her symptom out of whack.

I would speak to the vet if your dog is showing signs of discomfort to see if there is something else that can be given. Depending what it's for, but there are a range of treatments that do not include cortisone (for Cushinoid dogs as they can not tolerate excess cortisol) - and these might help.

[Poodle wrangler]

Definitely consult your vet.

Cortisone can be given for all sort of reasons.

It could be the underlying problem causing this behaviour, not necessarily the drug?