Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey all,
I have 2 questions but I’ll preface what’s going on first:
About 2 weeks ago, we had to take Kota to the vet because he couldn’t stand on his own or walk again and was clearly in pain. Doc did bloodwork and xrays. Blood work came back fine - RBC was good and his white blood cells were elevated. Doc thought staph because he also had sores on his belly. X-rays showed lesions on his spine (I forget what specific spot terminology) right near where it connects to his hip. Doc said could either be a slipped/herniated disc or cancer. He said up the dosage of prednisone to 30mg for 5 days. The day after that on 30mg pills, Kota was moving around well.
Today, he seemed slow moving and in pain. I know he didn’t feel good because he didn’t want his cheese for his pills. Heart rate was elevated and pounding. He breathes heavy-ish and faster than he used to but not like struggling to breathe. After the prednisone kicked in, he was better.
Question 1: We’re up to almost 40mg a day. Is that too much and should we be looking into another kind of steroid? I heard Dexamethasone was stronger and required lower dosage. He takes 400mg of Gab x2 a day. Should I increase that dosage?
Question 2: He’s on non-THC CBD once a day in his food. The company (American Shaman) says 1mL =10mg of CBD and I’ve read that you can give dogs 5mg per 10 pounds. He’s been getting .5mL a day in his food but I don’t feel that’s enough. He’s around 48-49 pounds now. I don’t want to give him too much either. So I’m wondering, should I be giving him a few dropper full portions in his food?
I know you guys are tired of my long-winded questions. I’m sorry. I just like to give all the details. Thanks in advance!
That is a lot of pred even for a spinal lesion; you are giving him immunosuppressive doses but if it helped you can continue a bit longer I normally would reduce the dose after 14 days. Is there a lesion in the actual vertebral bone? If so then I am sorry to say that not much touches that kind of pain. I had to put my dog Tazzie to sleep when her cancer metastasized to the spine. A slipped disc is less likely based on breed but that often initially responds to prednisone. Was he already taking an NSAID such as carprofen that wasn't working?
You can add amantadine as well as codeine for pain (short -term use) and if cancer is suspected I have used Tylenol plus codeine but ask your vet.
As far as CBD I only use ElleVet for my dogs because it is tested as pure and studied by a vet school. It is more economical for larger dogs since it is 70 mg per ml and the dose is 1-2 mg/kg so he could easily take 50 mg twice daily.
Pam
I guess my only concern is dropping the prednisone for the Tylenol4 and losing the anti inflammatory for his airway. I had cut his Pred down to 5/10mg and last night he started having breathing issues. I gave him a bit more and he went back to normal. Gave him the regular dose today and he’s been breathing fine. My doc told me I couldn’t give him prednisone and Tylenol4 at the same time. He can still take the gabapentin.
Sad to say, but we know he doesn’t have long so I’m not worried about the long term affects of high dose prednisone.
If the prednisone helps at the high dose I would just give that. I am not sure why your vet said you can't use Tylenol plus narcotic with prednisone especially if we are at end stage. You shouldn't use pred with an NSAID but Tylenol is not in that class and is easier on the stomach. Both medications may affect the liver but honestly that is more of a long term issue. I would also give Prilosec if you are not already to protect his GI tract from the high doses of pred.
I am so sorry! Your dog looks like my Pittie Phil.
Dr Pam
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