Has anyone used Prednasone?

My cat Gus has been diangosed with Lymphoma and my vet has us starting Prednasone. We are lucky to have a pharmacy here that mixes it into a chicken paste so it's supposed to be more tolerable but Gus is smarter than all of us and won't touch the stuff. Any suggestions? I tried mixing it with some of his fav treats but still no luck. It's imperative that he gets this into him. It comes in a syringe so I could squirt right into his mouth but I'm already giving him antibiotics that way twice a day which is a huge fight. It's getting to the point where he won't come near me.
Has anyone had experience with this drug? What can I expect for side effects?

Depending on the dose, you should be able to mix the prednisone into the antibiotic syringe. Talk to the vet first, but I am pretty sure this is possible.
Usually the biggest side effect to prednisone is weight gain. It tends to make them hungry so they eat more. If it's a high dose, then you want to take extra precaution in possible exposure to a cat virus. At high doses it will lower the immune system, so if you go to a friends house with a kitty, make sure you change cloths and wash up before saying hello to him.

Thank Sandie, I just tried again, this time smooshed it all across his mouth. I am not popular let me tell you! The antibiotic he's on is Antirobe Aquadrops which is the most vile smelling stuff I've come across, I can't imagine how it must taste. We are suppposed to start chemo on Friday but I don't know if I can put him through that. The medication is tough enough and he seems to be getting quieter day by day. This is the worst decision I've ever had to make in my life.

Originally posted by Gus's Mom
Thank Sandie, I just tried again, this time smooshed it all across his mouth. I am not popular let me tell you! The antibiotic he's on is Antirobe Aquadrops which is the most vile smelling stuff I've come across, I can't imagine how it must taste. We are suppposed to start chemo on Friday but I don't know if I can put him through that. The medication is tough enough and he seems to be getting quieter day by day. This is the worst decision I've ever had to make in my life.

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I'm so sorry about Gus, and I understand a lot of what you may be feeling...Patrick has either lymphoma or severe IBD - we chose not to do an endoscopy or exploratory surgerym and to treat him as if he has IBD - using diet change, flagyl and prednisolone. Patrick was also put on a course of Antirobe drops and did tolerate it, but if he had not, you *can* get this as pills instead. Would it be easier for you to pill Gus, using a pill gun? If so, and if he's reacting that strongly to the taste of the Antirobe aquadrops (which I understand most cats find totally vile), consider switching.

I wish you and Gus all the best,

First of all, I'm sorry to hear that you're little purrball is so sick. Bless you for doing all that you can!

As for prednisone for cats, I don't know diddly about it. But I do know that for humans the have a syrup that they give to children who need that medication. You might want to check with your Vet & see if that is available for you. I've never tasted it, but it does smell cherry flavored...so maybe it won't taste bad for him. But like I said, I don't know about feline medication - only human medication.

Good luck & hope you get that medicine in him soon. Sounds like he really needs it!
(((((HUGS))))

My daughter had to take the liquid prednisone, and in her words "It makes me want to throw up". I would imagine that's why it tastes so bad even in the chicken mix.
If Gus is young enough, I would give the Chemo a chance and see how he tolerates it. I have seen it go both ways, and if he tolerates the treatment, he might have a good chance of some happy years.
It's a tough thing to go through, and I wish you both all the best.

Hi, I was just about to post a question about my Sierra who is on prednisone, and I saw yours.
I have to give it to her every 3 days for asthma. I found that in the long run, the easiest way is to put it in a syringe with 1 - 1.5 cc's of water, shake it up good and then put her on the chair facing away from me, hold her and stroke her for a while, then put the syringe in the corner of her mouth and squirt quickly.
Then I cuddle her for a bit and then she gets cat treats.
She knows now what is going on, and she is totally accepting of it.
The treats & cuddles seem to make up for the momentary squirt.

I hope Gus is ok with his lymphoma and not suffering from it.
And I hope you and Gus can work out a way of getting the meds in.
I know it's hard. I have 4 rats too, and with their short little lives, the med battle comes up periodically.

All I can say,is make it about the cuddle, or scratching or brushing or whatever he likes before and after. And treats too

Good luck.

Gus is 12 so I realize that the chemo could go either way but I don't think I'd ever forgive myself if I didn't at least try. Today is his first day after starting the Prednasone and I don't see any difference other than he was very hungry today. He absolutely hates me though between that and the antirobe he's on, seems like every time I touch him I am jamming something down his throat.

My daughter was on it for Pnemonia {sp}

My dog was on it. It is a powerful steroid that can have long term effects if dosage is high enough and on it for long term. She had 2 side-effects, both immediate. One was loss of bladder control and would wet herself while laying down. The other was a change in personality. This is a dog that LOVES being around people and always wanting attention. Within a day or two all she wanted to do is sleep and be left alone.

Ask your vet for information on Pred. I have the info at home, but can email it to you.

OMG - so far I haven't noticed much difference except he is sleeping more than usual. I was told long term it can have bone and kidney effects. Our prescription is for one month, I'm not sure if that's long term. We are taking everything one day at a time.

I'm so sorry to hear about your Gus. (((hugs)))

I had a serious allergy dog on prednalasone on and off for years. When on it, the most noticeable side-effect was an increase in appetite (along with a decrease in swelling from the hives he always had). We chose to keep him on it knowing that, although it could decrease his overall lifespan a bit, he was miserable without it and was worth that risk. We chose quality over quantity.

That's the approach I am trying to take but so far I can't say he has a better quality of life, he's still pretty quiet. He did take a swing at my parrot today though which is a first (only had bird 2 months) He has shown no interest in it until now so maybe that's a good sign??

One other thing I forgot to mention. Because it is a powerful steroid and I didn't like what I was seeing with my dog, I decided to lower the dosage (with vet's permission). You can never just stop giving Pred, it MUST be gradual or it could harm your fuzzy.

If the side-effects you're seeing aren't too bad, then I wouldn't worry. Like people, each animal reacts differently to medication. Some may have no side-effects, others will.

Good luck with your little one.

Sorry, I don't have any experience with prednasone and pets (my mom took it for asthma, and retained fluids and had extremely thin skin), but I was wondering if either that or the antibiotics could be injected? We learned to give subcutaneous shots after having a dog who was severely allergic to wasp stings - he would go into respiratory arrest after just a few minutes, so it was an absolute necessity. I've found that it's much easier and less stressful to give cats shots than pills or liquids, and have never had a vet refuse to prescribe medications in injectable form.