Side effects from Prednisone??? Update Post 18; cute pics post 12

[Catty1]

My mom is very much in touch with her vet, and Pyka goes in tomorrow morning.

He's the 8 yr old Lilac Point Oriental Shorthair that has had a chronic URI. Anyway, two days ago, the vet had a good look at his records, and Pyka was taken off the Zythromax and put on Prednisone.

He has a large hematoma on his ear (mostly fluid) that will be lanced tomorrow. It is driving him nuts, and he scratches it.

Since he started the pred, he has become panicky, is sleeping in hiding places such as behind the books in the bookcase, or on a backpack in my Mom's closet. Also, apparently scared, he has tried to jump up on a kitchen counter and another mid-height item, and has come crashing down!

He is NOT sneezing any more, and actually slept on a bed today, and his brother Shiney cuddled with him twice.

While Pyka has been hiding, poor Shiney has been looking for him...

Side effects? Zythromax withdrawl? Poor Pyka, he's not happy, and Mom is worried.

Thank you if you can share any experience to add to Pyka's vet visit tomorrow.

[emily_the_spoiled]

If cats react anything like humans to prednisone, that is what is causing his problems. In humans prednisone heights emotions, so people can become depressed, scared, aggressive, etc.

Your Mom should see if there is anything else that can be used (non-steroidal)

[Grace]

Zythromax is an antibiotic, so it's doubtful stopping that would cause problems.

My bet is on the Prednisone. Do you know the dosage, by chance?

Usually, with steroids, they start them out on a relatively high dosage, then taper them off. I once had a dog who went on Prednisone every summer for allergies. She never had any problems. But our neighbor's cat went on it once, and she became quite aggressive with other cats.

Large doses of steroids, for an extended period, can also cause diabetes in people; not sure about animals.

Have her ask the Vet how long Pyka will stay on the Prednisone, and will it be tapered down. Make sure she gives the Vet a list of Pyka's behaviour since starting the med.

[Catty1]

Pyka is on two tabs a day for a week, then down to one. Mom just phoned a minute ago - he came out from under the bed, and is slowly doing better. She did buy him some baby food, chicken with broth, and he lapped that right up.

I seem to recall that cats can't have garlic or onion in the baby food they get, is that right?

[Grace]

I seem to recall that cats can't have garlic or onion in the baby food they get, is that right?

That's my understanding, also. Either of those raw could cause ulcerations in the mouth and stomach. And there have been instances of cats developing hemolytic anemia after eating garlic and/or onion.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I never knew that pred could have these kind of side effects on cats. Starr is still on 5mg of it every morning and he's been acting normal the whole time even when he was on a higher dose in the beginning. He's always been feisty though and he'll get very hissy and grumpy if one of his siblings tries to wake him up from his nap. I'm hoping to be able to wean him off of it soon but his vet wants to wait a while and do it very slowly.

Good luck Pyka. I hope you feel better very soon.