I am looking for some thoughts from those who have given Prednisone to their dogs. The Vet prescribed it for an enlarged prostate. The dog was just castrated, I thought that the castrating removed part of the (or all of??) the prostate. And the remaining prostate would become smaller.
I hate to give medication to my dogs. I do research online about the medication and this Prednisone seems to have lots of possible side effects and I did not see anything that said it was normally given for prostate.
Also, there are a few herbal treatments for enlarged prostate, has anybody tried any of those?
The prostate is seperate from the testicles, it is inside and below the rectum. It is a walnut shaped gland that surrounds the urethra and helps provide the fluid in which the semen swim. When enlarged in the dog it causes trouble with defecation among other things. It "lives" on testosterone, produced by the testicles, like breasts "live" on estrogen, if you will. Castration will help it shrink, but it takes some time.
The prednisone may have been given to help with inflamation of the castration site
and also with swelling and inflamation in the prostate. As cortizone drugs go, it is the weakest and most benign in side effects, and has the shortest duration of activity.
It will make your dog feel better. If it was prescribed, I would go ahead an use it.
The steroid drugs have a bad reputation because they can be abused and over used, but in their place, when you need them, they are miracle drugs.
I have given prednisone before, but for another reason. The water consumption did increase as did the need for extra urine breaks.
This, and WAAAAYYYYY increased appetite for my dog.
That was the worst for us. He was constantly starving.
Connie helped us fix it by suggesting green beans as in between meal snacks. They are VERY low calorie, so you can feed a ton and not worry about an increase in body weight. Saved our sanity for sure.:smile:
Sorry, I don't know any specifics about prostate enlargement and using steroids to treat.
Tracy Collins Webboard User Reg: 10-09-2008
Posts: 1917
Loc: St. Louis, Missouri
Offline
I have given prednisone to our Corgi for environomental skin allergies in a "crisis mode"--it can really be a wonder drug to quickly reduce inflammation. From my experience it is safe and effective at quickly doing what it's supposed to do. After the imflammation is under control (with our dog, it was, literally after a single dose) you can (with your vet's guidance) quickly reduce the dose to an increasingly smaller and smaller dose until you finally discontinue the med.
Do you know if your vet is prescribing this in a short course to reduce inflammation? Or is he proposing this as an every day, long-term thing? That's two very different Prednisone scenarios, IMO. The first I wouldn't have any problem with. The second, I'd question too.
The dosage is 2 tablets every other day (5mg tablets) He gave 20 tablets. It is my understanding that he wanted to use it to reduce the size of the prostate. He did not mention a long term type of treatment plan. So, I am guessing when the 20 tabs are gone, we just stop.
Tracy Collins Webboard User Reg: 10-09-2008
Posts: 1917
Loc: St. Louis, Missouri
Offline
Ah. Then in my opinion, I would follow the vet's advice rather than look for an herbal alternative--especially if the dog is in discomfort. I think that when indicated, a short course of prednisone offers more benefit than risk.
I had a golden who was on pred every spring and fall for quite a few years. After he turned 12 the vet wouldn't give it to him anymore as long term causes organ damage.
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Prednisone
Top
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic.jpg)
.jpg)
