side effects?

As you know the kids are on antihistamines for seasonal allergies and Vinny's also on a dose on antibiotics and what I feel is quite a high cortisone dosage for the next week as he really suffers.

I read the side effects of cortisone include excessive thirst and hunger. Well, he's been going through about three quarters of a bowl of water every couple of hours (obviously meaning more toilet outings) and licking his lips a lot. Last night he couldn't settle and was very hungry, so gave him a light snack but he still wouldn't settle. Kept going outside to check things out, wondering around and looking uncomfy. I was up with him until gone 11pm when he finally plopped in bed - only to get up about 5 or 6 times (because of all the water). He was also unsettled this morning and has only now fallen into a comfy sleep (with Roxy by his side - she stuck with him all night). He'a also pretty smelly this morning   (bum trumpet!)

I'm almost keen to fast him today after the amount of water he's taken in to let his tum settle but on the other hand worry about the hunger side effects. What do you think?

Am I just being a worry wart and these are side effects from his meds?

I reckon it's just the side effects of the meds, they can also make him hyper so that is maybe why he couldn't settle. It's natural to worry about him, you could always speak to the Vet to put your mind at rest

Chiara wrote:I reckon it's just the side effects of the meds, they can also make him hyper so that is maybe why he couldn't settle. It's natural to worry about him, you could always speak to the Vet to put your mind at rest

Thanks Claire Hate seeing them anything less than super happy! At least he is catching up on sleep now.

Aww bless him

Aww poor vin sounds like he was so unsettled Lisa it's so worrying isn't it. Give your vet a ring if it'll help ease your worry but does sound like it's the meds causing it.

You could try rationing his water intake. For example, just put a small bowl down and when he's finished it don't give any more for, say, an hour. He'll still be drinking as much, but not all in one go. The lip licking is a sign that his stomach feels bad & he feels a bit sick. Probably because he's taking in too much water all at once.

Caryll wrote:You could try rationing his water intake. For example, just put a small bowl down and when he's finished it don't give any more for, say, an hour. He'll still be drinking as much, but not all in one go. The lip licking is a sign that his stomach feels bad & he feels a bit sick. Probably because he's taking in too much water all at once.

Thanks so much Caryll. I started cutting back on the amount of water I put down last night when I realised how much he was drinking at a time. I just gave him a light "easy on the tum" breakfast with his meds this morning. He's tired today but ok energy-wise, so do you think it will still be fine to take him for his afternoon walk or better to let him rest?

I'd try and keep his routine as much the same as you can, tbh.

If you think the walks are wearing him out too much you can cut them down a bit, but if you skip a walk he might get stressed and that'd lead to even more problems. 

Caryll wrote:I'd try and keep his routine as much the same as you can, tbh.

If you think the walks are wearing him out too much you can cut them down a bit, but if you skip a walk he might get stressed and that'd lead to even more problems. 

I'm a bit of a stickler for their routine so we'll carry on and play the timing by ear. Thank you  

Poor Vinny  xx

You might already be aware but steroids can cause liver damage, my last staffy was on steroids for allergies and ended up with liver disease pretty quickly, get your vet to check liver enzymes at the nxt appointment, feel better soon vinny xxxx