Prednisone and HUNGER

[pugrescue]

Just to hopefully lighten up your day....

One of our senior rescue pugs, Teddy, had decreased appetite about a month ago, very unusual for a pug. He is 15, pretty old for a pug, but we are not yet ready to just wait it out. Trip into vet, blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound etc and all seems pretty normal considering his age. Average life span for pug is 13. Vet has no good advice except to "keep him comfortable".

3 more days of no food at all, told hubby we are losing him, and either euthanize or we could try some prednisone. Gave him 5mg, and 3 hours later he gobbled up all his dinner and was prowling around for more. Next 3 days gave him 2.5mg, still eating every meal. Reduced to 1mg/day 10 days ago...still eating and starting to regain some of his weight and strength.

Hubby now understands a little bit better why I spend hours on the computer looking at recipes! When I prowl around the kitchen, I now have company, Teddy is right at my heels. One good side effect of that darn pred.

[Hidden]

Bless him.... Or should I say them. My dog had a month on steroids years ago and managed to open the fridge and eat a block of cheese and a head of celery. I always say if they are eating, having (an assisted) walk, and don't seem to be in pain then keep them going. I think I will ask my family for the same criteria to be applied to me!

My dog is coming up to 13 now and has developed that hungry nose that elderly dogs can have. We fight over my weekly sourdough bread treat as it is low carb, veggie diet in this house. Even the dog dropped a couple of kg.

[maria40 in reply to Hidden]

A good year before he died at 14, my lurcher grabbed an open freezer moment when a pack of frozen chicken slid out and it was a case of 'now you see it now you don't'. I rang the vet in panic and he advised me to wait and see. Sure enough, no ill effects and by evening dog was standing by his bowl again. Still much missed.

[Hidden in reply to maria40]

Aaaaw. It's amazing how quickly they can guzzle things they know are stolen!

[Yellowbluebell]

Love it!! It describes my love of my fridge down to a tee!! I put 2 stone on right at the beginning even though i was warned by the likes of pro and DL to go low carb!! Then it was christmas and the advent calendars came out!!

[SheffieldJane]

Awww! I am the same.

[Blearyeyed]

I'm glad he's improving . I assume he's using his own pred supply and not yours!😋😂😂😂

[pugrescue in reply to Blearyeyed]

Actually Teddy is using the pred I have from vet for another pug that has terminal cancer. Between vets for my numerous senior pugs, my gp and rheumy no-one has any idea (incl me) how much pred (or other drugs for that matter) I actually have on hand. So I just go merrily on my way......well most days anyway.

[Blearyeyed in reply to pugrescue]

You and you puggle of pugs have your own Pred Club ! 😋😘😘

[PMRJ]

SWEET that is. Love your story. May there be more treasured days together. PMRJ

[Rimmy]

'WE' are all exonerated with this excellent 'science' - since having to increase my dose from moderate to 'high' again - I am STARVING - nearly 'all' the time. Don't say low carbs and all that - in this mindset I'm up for 'anything' and JUST when I was fitting my pre-Pred gear again - oh bother - but like your pug I am still 'here' (I guess).

[diana1998]

Hubby has a friend who took his dog's meds by mistake and gave the dog his!! The laugh was, David felt absolutely fine, but the dog was poorly and had to attend the vet!!! 😂 🤣 😂 🤣 Caused a good laugh in the pub😭😜 and we are still laughing........

[Hidden]

Bless him, what a lovely little doggy. I too am an animal lover and lost my poodle at the grand old age of 15. He had a huge tumour on the roof of his mouth. If Pred keeps him going, keep giving it to him. Did the vet prescribe them or are you giving him yours? I know how much Pred increases our appetites while taking it, so that's why Teddy is now eating again.

Good luck and hope he lasts a very long time

Anne

[pugrescue in reply to Hidden]

I put him on the pred myself. Have lots of meds here for the dogs, as we have so many rescue pugs. We only adopt those with serious medical issues. Most are seniors, and vets are pretty easy with drugs as we have been through life ending scenarios with more than 30 pugs. Keeping them comfortable is number one priority. Loving those that have had such a tough life is next on the list. Even still decisions are so incredibly difficult, and will require extra pred for me!

[Hidden in reply to pugrescue]

So compassionate of you X

[katiemills]

Bless him! Our last cavalier King Charles suffered with severe mitral valve disease but lived to the ripe old age of 12, helped by daily prednisone and viagra , would you believe ! His cardiologist used to prescribe the viagra but we would have to get it from our local pharmacy . I’m not sure if the pharmacist truly believe my husband when he said it was for the dog 😉😉.

Alfie dog used to hurtle round and round the village playing fields sporting a very large appendage , much to the bemusement of other dog walkers😳😳

[Hidden in reply to katiemills]

🤭

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to katiemills]

Viagra was actually being developed for cardiological disorders when the famous side effect was identified and the financial potential realised ...

[katiemills in reply to PMRpro]

The cardiologist explained that to me after my jaw had dropped to the floor !!

[Pippah45]

Wow - what a great idea - Izzy avatar dog has been a fussy eater all her life after a shocking worm ridden first year. She is now 11/12 not a bad age for a GSD x Rottweiler and goes off her food quite regularly - I will suggest the pred her vet.

[pugrescue in reply to Pippah45]

Same as us, give with food, and we also add an antacid once daily. Most vets have no problem with it as many of the side effets are from long term use. The only one we had trouble with, had dark tarry stools, and we had to take her off, but she was diabetic, chronic pancreatitis, and chronic hepatitis.

[S4ndy]

Oh what a sweet pug. Hope Teddy feels better soon. I have always wanted a pug dog but live in a flat so not allowed I do occasionally dog sit a puggle whose main purpose in life is to eat! Hope Teddy's pred journey is short xxx

[bunnymom]

My cat Benny has just gone on predisone to help with GI issues. He wasn't eating and I thought it was the end after we had tried everything. The Vet said the vet rule is always try steroids before euthanasia. Here,here. He is eating like a horse. And has successfully reduced to one half a day.

[Theziggy]

The cats and dogs have their own forum where they talk about their owners!!!

[Hidden in reply to Theziggy]

😂🤣😂

[Alfryd]

What smart owners! Preds work same for me.

[lizg0017]

Lol that’s a great story. Regards to spending hours looking at recipes. I thought it was just me who spends so much time looking at mouth watering recipes. I now have over 9,000 Microsoft word recipes in my electronic repertoire folder.

[pugrescue in reply to lizg0017]

9000 is a LOT! Are yours mostly dessert recipes? Mine are! Actually I started at 50mg in March/19 (GCA) and for first 6 months or so, I was nauseous, so that tempered the hunger somewhat. Just now transitioning from 11mg to 10....hunger is worse than ever! Hope it reverses soon.....

[lizg0017 in reply to pugrescue]

I’ve collected that format of recipes for years but it seems I’m accumulating more rapidly since PMR onset March 2018. It’s a collection of everything from desserts to entree’s to healthy to not so healthy to diet stuff to family heirloom etc. Probably more sweets though.

I’ve been struggling lately with more frequent headaches. Appt tomorrow with rheumy. I’m at 7mg but certain I need more. Been fighting the higher dose for months. Have a feeling I’ll be back up to higher dose after tomorrow. Also have a feeling I’ll be unrecognizable soon with pred side effects.

[pugrescue in reply to lizg0017]

Prayers for you with your rheumy appt tomorrow. Hopefully you won't have to increase pred, but if you do and it brings relief that is good too.

I think these diseases change everyone. I have not gained weight, though loss of hair is significant. But much worse is loss of life goals and sense of worth. we never had children, and with all these dogs not a lot of friends. But we devoted our lives to rescuing pugs, and probably averaged 9-10 dogs at a time for last 15 yrs. Had 9 when dx a yr ago, now 5, and predicting 2 by spring/summer. Not going to add more till at least down to 2. Hubby cannot look after them alone, and I am no longer confident that I can handle it all. Not just the work load and time involved.....it is the stress and worry that is getting more difficult with every loss.

Anyway, best wishes tomorrow, and let us know how it goes. Lots of caring friends here, would not have made it this far without this forum.

[lizg0017 in reply to pugrescue]

Thank you very much. Sorry for taking so long to respond. Had to cancel my appointment due to weather. Appt now set for March. I up'd my steroid dose on my own. Amazing how just a couple of milligrams can make such a difference. I'm still in pain, but not where I'm feeling like I need to go to an emergency room. Thanks again for your responses.

[Hidden in reply to lizg0017]

Even 1/2mg can make a massive difference. Glad you are feeling better.

[Grammy80]

God love him...and you for rescuing him. So glad he has an apparatus that allows him to walk..he is brave!!

I don't know why but I have NO appetite whatsoever. Some days I think back and realize I did not eat. Not that I've lost weight..just a few pounds..I'm still 'matronly~!!

My Pastor's oldest cat is on Prenisone and Gabapentin~!!! TEDDY, YOU ROCK~!

[tina-shelley]

I’ve come to this post rather late but never mind I’ve not laughed so much in a long time!