side effects of steroids

[judith207]

my westie Barney is nearly 11. He has been diagnosed with a tumour growing along the nerves in his shoulder.
this is inoperable as the tumour is wrapping round his first rib. He has a very bad limp and can no longer walk very well, balance to **** his leg, and tires easily. It has been suggested that steroids might help his condition. However I am worried about whether this will really help him and whether the side effects (whatever they are) will very bad. He has been prescribed prednisolone 5mg
2 tablets a day.

[kita1]

Steroids are probably the only thing that will slow the growth of the tumour.

Steroids will make him drink more and eat more, but to be honest I would not be too concerned about the side effects in this case as they are really your only option to try and slow the growth of the tumour and so (sorry to be brutal) prolong his life.

I have a friend in a similar situation, but their dogs tumour is on the jawbone (at the joint). Their dog is on steroids, as, like you it is the only thing that will slow down the tumour, and give them a bit more time together before the pain gets too bad and the inevitable decision has to be made.

I would go for the treatment if I was you.

Good luck.

[lankeela]

I have a fourteen and a half year old bitch who has been on prednisolone for about a year now. She was a bit unsound, and her skin was breaking out in sore patches.

She was prescirbed one a day, but I have now got it down to one every day and a half, I tried every other day but the sores started to return.

She does drink a fair bit, and is a gannet where food is concerned, but in herself she is fine. Like your boy, there is no real long term to have to worry about, so I would go for giving him a better quality of life while you can.