Lymphoma, dog, prednisone--when to stop?

February 28, 2024 8:27 AM

I asked this question 3 weeks ago. My little guy is doing okay but I think the prednisone is starting to not work (he's been vomiting a bit, upset stomach.) The pred side effects have been a lot to deal with for both of us (the incontinence and peeing is out of this world.) If you've gone through this when did you decide to stop prednisone? I've already cut his dose from 40mg to 20mg (with vet's input.) Thanks...
posted by rhymedirective to Pets & Animals (4 answers total)

My dog had cancer at 13, was also on prednisone and this is such a hard question with no good answer.

The prednisone seemed to give him energy and interest in food but side effects were not good. We also reduced the dose.

But just as I was starting to wonder what to do next he went downhill very rapidly and the vet ended his life.

He was a big dog and that might make a difference as in my experience they go downhill rapidly once they go.

So I can't really give you much advice other than to say that with very sick pets, you either make a decision about their treatment before they're really suffering and then wonder whether you should have waited longer, or you make that same decision once they're already clearly suffering and then wish you'd acted earlier.

So you can't really do the right thing, it's just a hard situation to deal with.

Most important thing now is to just be with your doggo now and remember that he's happy to just be with you. You're lucky to have him, and he's lucky to have you.
posted by Zumbador at 9:40 AM on February 28 [8 favorites]

Been thinking about your little guy today, and not sure if what I have to add is really an addition at all, but in case it helps, here's our experience: My guy was diagnosed with lymphoma as a pretty young 'un, a couple of months after having a minor bout of vomiting. The cancer was detected when he had a small stroke. The vet mentioned 4-6 weeks, and started prednisone. My dog tolerated the dose well and perked up considerably for a couple of weeks, had a rough go on week 3, recovered, and then went downhill very suddenly in week 4. (All of this while still on the prednisone dose.) The vet recommended euthanasia when we brought him in that night.

I'm so sorry that your pup is so ill. I'm with Zumbador - your pup knows love when he feels it and he is lucky to have you.
posted by dreamphone at 8:06 PM on February 28 [1 favorite]

I have no direct answer but I have a cat on prednisone with IBS. I’ll spare you the details but I bought a giant washable/reusable “pee pad” on Amazon for about $60 and my quality of life (an apartment with wall to wall carpet) has improved dramatically!
posted by ticketmaster10 at 10:07 AM on February 29

I have never personally heard anyone express regret about making the hard decision too soon, but far too many who realize with the cold, cruel clarity of hindsight, that they wished they had let their pet go earlier. It's hard. It's so fucking hard. I'm sorry.

Here's a link to a PDF of an assessment of dog quality of life.
posted by canine epigram at 5:55 PM on March 2