My dog has taken prednisone since she was born...?

Bianca C · #1 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008

She started gagging and throwing up all the time when she was a young pup and the veteranary gave her prednisone. After taking it for a month when weaned her off it and she began gagging an throwing up again. She is now 2 years old, extremely overweight, always tired, bull legged and has a very poor coat.

I am worried she wont live a long life on the way she is going.
So my question is, Is there anything I can do to help her get back to her old self. Can I try weaning her off it again? Are they any other medication she could be taking? I really want to help her, but there is only one veterany within 7 hours of where I live and don't know what to do.

Thanks
When we cut down the dosage she began throwing up again.

The vet said she doesn't know why she throws up.

Paul M · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008

i would say, watch her diet,
maybe is not only the prednisone that makes her throw up,
try different veterinarians maybe a really good one, could find the problem.

Dobiegang · #3 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008

Ask your vet if you can cut down on the dosage.
I had a dog on this & she gained 10lbs in one month.
I told the vet this couldn't be & the vet lowered the dosage to half what she was taking & did just fine & lost those extra pounds.
Good luck.

miaugh · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008

What kind of condition does she have, to be on prednisone this amount of time, and at that age? What was the vet's diagnosis?

add: If there is any way to get a second opinion, it would be worthwhile. Prolonged steroid use can cause organ damage over time. Good luck.

LOLO · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008

i would say find a different vet. Its obviously not working for her. Prednisone is a steriod so it makes her excatly what you say she is.

copperpenny39047 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008

She will eventually develop Cushings Disease if you do not get her off. Try VetinaryPartners.com and join the yahoo group canine health. Good luck!

Mouse · #7 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008

Maybe you should get a second opinion from another vet. Maybe he could figure out why she continues to throw up. A life on prednisone is going to be real hard on her, you won't have a real healthy dog.