Heartworms and Steroids : Henson's thread!

tsukitsunetsukitsune
edited February 2009 in Food, Nutrition, & Health
We brought Henson home last night, clearly in a great deal of pain from his IMMITICIDE injection (its intramuscular). We can't give him any type of pain medication as it can contradict with treatment according to our new, absolutely fabulous vet <3
So, 1/2 hr before his shot he received a steroid shot to help manage the pain and reduce any inflammation from the HW infection before the treatment began.
He was sent home with a (free!) bottle of 30 Prednisone tablets and a (free!) bottle of 30 famotidine (pepcid) tablets, to take once daily for 30 days, until his next injection.

What are the side effects/general outcomes of using a steroid long term like that? [Dave, I'm thinking Lucy here?]
Obviously upped water intake, and upped water outtake :) But anything else?

Thanks so much!
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Comments

  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    Poor Henson. Hopefully he knows what a wonderful thing you are doing for him!

    Glad you found a great vet! Can't give any advice on the steroid use, but best of luck!
  • sunyatasunyata
    edited November -1
    I can tell you about prolonged steriod use in humans, but not really dogs. We had Bella on steriods for about 2 weeks when she had her GI problems, and we really did not see any difference in her. However, she was pretty messed up to begin with, so I am not sure if it would have made a difference either way.
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    Thanks!
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    30 days would not be considered long term use, so you *shouldn't* have to worry about any of the long term side effects like bone density problems. Some of the shorter term side effects are the two you mentioned, increased thirst and urination, but also increased appetite, restlessness, panting, and tremors. In a very small percentage of dogs (Lucy being one of those), you will see the opposite effect. Lethargy, loss of appetite, and depression. We took Lucy off of Prednisone because she was having that reaction. On the drug she is currently on (Budesonide), the systemic side effects are minimized (not eliminated); however, it is *VERY* expensive and a topical drug so unless Henson's problems are localized to his GI tract, it would not work.

    If you notice any of the short term side effects, you should call the vet and work to adjust the dose. It took us a few weeks to sort out that there wasn't a dose of Pednisone that would work for Lucy and another few weeks to find the right dose of Budesonide. Be patient!
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    Thanks Dave.
    He'll actually be on the Prednisone for 65 days total by the time his treatment is over. I've never had a dog on it longer than a week or two at most.
    I think it will be hard to tell the side effects from the steroid as the HW treatment is overall hard on a dog's system as it is. The use of the steroid is for pain management and anti-inflammation throughout his central nervous system and heart/lungs/arteries throughout to prevent clots from the disintegrating worms. Its all so new to me, all this info, all the side effects, all we have to watch for, keeping him inactive... oy.

    Thanks for the info - it really helps !
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    Yikes. 65 days is a long time. :-(

    For that duration, you would want to keep an eye out for some of the long term side effects. The two big ones that I have been advised to keep an eye out for are hair loss and bruising (not sure about the bruising one, I haven't been able to find any literature on it). Also bone density can be an issue after that long, but I don't know how you would look for that. Perhaps one of the vet techs on the forum has an idea.
  • lepercannlepercann
    edited November -1
    Both Triton and Sadie can't take steroids, they drink huge amounts of water and pee in the house, which upsets them.
  • lindsaytlindsayt
    edited November -1
    Most remarks I get from people with cats and dogs on pred, is the increased thirst, hunger and urinary incontinence. Some increased aggression. After a while (years), I believe the drug can impact the animals ability to absorb calcium appropriately, where calcium deposits in the skin instead of the bones. They loose hair on the flanks and get fat bellies with really thin skin, and they may develop a Cushing's Syndrome and become steroid dependent. They can go into a crisis if the drug is suddenly stopped because the body has somewhat lost it's ability to make it's own steroids. That happened with my cat. She also developed diabetes after being on pred for 5+ years. This won't happen with most pets on pred for only a few months, but it depends on the dose and frequency. Doses are usually started high and tapered down to a maintenance dose, but it's different for every condition. I don't know what the doses would be for HW treatment. It can be a very effective and safe drug to use short term. Sending good thoughts for the HW treatment!
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited February 2009
    Thank you so much for the info everyone!

    Lindsay - he's on 10mg once daily for 30 days, then they hope to cut to 5mg daily for 30 days, then 2.5mg for the last 5 days. It is a possibility that he'll be on 10mg all 65 days but no way to tell that until he's back for his second injection in March. He does have increased thirst, no incontinence yet, he ate his breakfast this morning with fervor (first thing he ate since his injection) and is much, much more apt to growl at the shibas for coming near his gate but is still lovely with my handling him.
    All he wanted to do yesterday was sleep in the sun, outside, on the leaves:
    image
    image
    image
    From Henson!
    naturally, the shibas didn't understand why they weren't invited:
    image
  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited November -1
    I love that last picture.

    Man I love Henson.
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    Awww, Kitsu and Tsuki are like "Hey, no fair!"
  • cmmookiecmmookie
    edited November -1
    Henson looks like such a little trooper. He is adorable.

    The last shot is awesome. LOL. Silly Shibas!
  • CaliaCalia
    edited February 2009
    Trix are for Kids

    (sorry, couldn't resist)
  • Darwin67Darwin67
    edited November -1
    LOL!!! That last picture is priceless! Henson, what a trooper and what an adorable pooch!
  • StaticNfuzzStaticNfuzz
    edited February 2009
    Henson is very cute....I love his name! The window shot is too funny.....mine do the same thing looking at the neighbors Boston frenchie mixs (who they refuse to spay btw...but that's another story). It sounds like Hanso is doing well considering the regime. So just be on the look out as you work through the treatments and dosages etc.

    Snf

    fyi: The rule of thumb that I was given, steroid use is considered long term use if it must be given four months or more in a year. I was told in low doses for short term use it should be "non harmful". I am not sure how much I buy into that since I have had a two Shibas that needed seasonal shots for allergies and later came down with heart problems down the road. Who knows if that was genetic predisposition since there was no pedigree info etc. In many cases I have to keep in mind correlation does not always indicate causation.

    However, like Dave described. (symptoms of steroid sensitivity are tremors, panting (due to increased heart rate) excessive thirst and kidney issues, causing excessive urination. Long term the steroid use does have an effect on the renal system and heart. I know dogs who are SUPER sensitive to steroid use even in its lowest dose and it is miserable to observe and have the dog go through the withdrawal of it etc. Particularly since it also changes personality/behavior because the dog just does not feel well as its normal habits become off kilter. I would say that with every medication there is a residual effect and that has to be weighted against treatment needs, life style, and general health of each animal.
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    he is panting, but not heavily or anything alarming, and has excessive thirst. I know when I had to take steroids after an accident last year i was always thirsty and starving, so hopefully its similar and not a heightened sensitivity to them. He does need them, as part of his treatment per the vet... 65 days is just so, ominous. In many ways.

    He's cute as it gets though, isn't he? :)

    A wheaten terrier group is interested in pulling him into their program post HW treatment. Blessings indeed happen when you need them most.
  • StaticNfuzzStaticNfuzz
    edited November -1
    Hey Jen.....I just realized my name mix up....henson and hanso (LOL). Tooo much alike.....

    BTW did Hanso find a home yet??

    Snf

    PS: Yep henson is pretty cute....you just have to love those Terriers. I have a soft spot for them also, however, the Shibas....say...not so much (LOL).
  • lindsaytlindsayt
    edited November -1
    What a good looking guy! Poor jealous shibas.
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    Hey SnF - Hanzo is still 'not yet available' on the NYCSR site because his foster dad is considering adopting him :))

    And last night I got a call from a Wheaten Rescue who thinks Henson is a 'wheatable' and is calling for fosters willing to take on his treatment. If no one will, then we'll be dubbed 'foster' for them and he'll continue treatment here then they'll pursue a forever home for him. We're keeping fingers, toes, and paws crossed.
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    Fingers, Toes, and Paws crossed here too Jen!

    (YAY, for Hanzo!)
  • LeonbergerLeonberger
    edited November -1
    Fingers crossed for Hanzo!

    Henson is such a good looking boy!
  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1
    What is a "Wheatable".

    Yay HANZO!!!!!!

    And Henson is beyond cute.
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    wheatable = a mix of dog that has some parts wheaten (i guess?!)

    see here: wheatenterrierrescue.org under 'wheaten or wheatable'

    Henson is considered, by them, to be a wheatable
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    or, conventionally:
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    jen - that's what I thought!
  • SangmortSangmort
    edited November -1
    [ Hoozah Hanzo! ]

    Henson is such a cutie, good luck with his treatment Jen! <3 ~
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    Henson gets his final HW shot today... he was in such pain for 3-4 days last time, I hope this time its easier on him.

    He handled the steroids really well this whole month, too. I think after the first week or so, he was adjusting to them and didn't really have an issue with them. They seemed to have done their job keeping him out of much pain and he never coughed or had any respiratory issues, so they must have been keeping the inflammation of dying worms down. All in all - I think this past month of recovery went really well. I'm hopign for the next one to go just as smoothly!!

    Other news is that his potential new home is approved and all ready for him. We just have to get the "OK" from the vet to move him, he could go home as soon as this weekend!
    I'm really not ready for him to leave, but I know he has to... he is the most adorable, friendly, easy going, happy guy ever. His new family is extremely lucky.
    image
    From Henson!
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    Yay Henson. Good luck with his forever home and his treatments. This is one special little guy and they are very lucky to get such a great job.

    Jen - You guys are awesome for what you do...These dogs appreciate EVERY SINGLE thing you do!
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    That's good news about Henson & his possible new family.

    Jen - I know it's got to be tough to do what you do, but this means you'll probably have a new friend soon, right?
  • LeonbergerLeonberger
    edited November -1
    It's great Henson is almost patched up, and moving to a forever home.
    I'm sure he'll brighten up their days.
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