Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Mark on January 11, 2008, 21:29:40 PM

Title: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Mark on January 11, 2008, 21:29:40 PM
Alice has been on them 4 days and on Sunday will be going onto 1/2 dose. Her belly is still swollen and she has had a runny bum today  :(

However, she has realised the bed is the best place (on it rather than under it!  :evillaugh: ) For the first time this afternoon, she snuggled right up to me  :Luv2: - She did a "willow" by going round in circles until she was satisfied she had max comfort  :Luv2:

Back at the vets on Tuesday (lucky I am a workshy layabout  :evillaugh: )
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: blackcat on January 11, 2008, 21:33:28 PM
Mark for a wild moment there I was worried you had taken up body-building  :Crazy: Unfortunately I know nothing of this matter so will defer to the experts ... :rofl: :rofl:

Sorry to hear Alice is not responding though, I would have expected some change by now ... :hug:
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Mark on January 11, 2008, 22:03:57 PM
If this doesn't work, he is going to send a fecal sample to the lab to check for parasites  :sick: - he isn't ruling out it being a result of malnutrition (Which Dennis suggested)

Despite theproblems, she is eating with gusto!  :evillaugh:

Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: blackcat on January 11, 2008, 22:06:19 PM
well at least he is exhausting all the possibilities. can't ask for more than that really ... ;D
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Mark on January 11, 2008, 22:12:24 PM
well at least he is exhausting all the possibilities.

And Sharon's kitty (no pun  :evillaugh: )
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on January 11, 2008, 22:35:23 PM
What type of steroids are they Mark - anabolic or cortico ?  Tiggy had injectable corticosteroids and they used to kick in within 24 hours, I often have to take oral steroids (prednisolone tablets) for my asthma and they normally work within 24 hours too.
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Baggy on January 11, 2008, 23:05:10 PM
The Proot had Prednisolone, which worked as a tablet within 24 hours.
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Mark on January 12, 2008, 00:34:05 AM
They are "Preds" - she has 1/2 of a 5mg tablet twice a day for 5 days then 1/2 once a day for 4 days. She started on Wednesday night and if anything, her runs are worse. They seem to have worked as an appetite stimulant as she is eating more than ever. She is cheerful enough in herself but looks like she swallowed a football  :(
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Maddiesmum on January 12, 2008, 06:11:09 AM
Dragan takes 5mg of Prednicare weekly and it usually takes 48 hours for me to see a big improvement.
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on January 12, 2008, 09:19:54 AM
Steroids do increase the appetite, so you do need to keep an eye on that, as you dont want her putting too much weight on.
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Hippykitty on January 12, 2008, 10:00:34 AM
They usually have a tonic effect within 24 hrs, but they won't get to the nub of Alice's problem. They'll cheer her up and reduce any inflammation she may have.
I hope things look up soon.
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Millys Mum on January 13, 2008, 20:56:57 PM
Yep preds increase appetite and then you get the side effects of over eating which can be diarrhoea so dont worry yourself too much  ;D
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Mark on January 14, 2008, 08:25:59 AM
Poo is a bit firmer now but long poos - in line with eating too much  :evillaugh:

Belly still swollen so I guess I will have to take a poo sample in next. I will speak to the vet when I take Kylie and Clapton in for routines this morning. Willow is in for hers tomorrow so I can either take a sample  or if the vet insists, Alice herself again. As there is no difference, except no blood which is great, I can't se the point of subjecting her to another vet trip until they have analysed a sample. 3 trips in a week is too much unless absolutely necessary.
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Mark on January 14, 2008, 11:39:30 AM
Spoke to the vet today and he said to bring a poo sample tomorrow as her poo is still soft and yellowish - possibly liver, digestion or some kind of parasite  :(
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Maddiesmum on January 14, 2008, 12:09:46 PM
Really still sounds like Dragan was when he was diagnosed with pancreatitis.  Did you speak to your vet about it?
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Mark on January 14, 2008, 12:37:06 PM
No I forgot with all the Willow commotion  :tired: - I will ask when I am there again tomorrow - thanks  :hug:
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Maddiesmum on January 14, 2008, 13:41:41 PM
Good luck and don't let your vet dismiss it out of hand as it is rare in cats.  It may not be that but symptoms sound very similar.  Let me know how you get on wont you?
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Mark on January 14, 2008, 13:45:02 PM
I think my new vet treats people as equals so won't be a problem  ;D - I nearly fell over when he offered me his PC to check VetUK prices. My old vet was like a learned old professor who was beyond question.

I read this which is a bit worrying. She is having her last 1/2 tablet today but I will mention it tomorrow.

"Although corticosteroid drugs such as prednisolone help counteract the over-reactive immune system that can cause the disease, steroids can also make pancreatitis worse."
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Maddiesmum on January 14, 2008, 14:09:30 PM
Well they never did with Dragan.  He just has one per week to keep the inflammation down and does just fine
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Mark on January 14, 2008, 14:14:47 PM
Maybe it's just if they have them every day?
Title: Re: How long for Steroids to work?
Post by: Maddiesmum on January 14, 2008, 14:24:05 PM
Maybe but maybe it's a "could"?