My dog is panting and itching after hot spot meds. Is this normal?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Storm! I wonder if the medications Storm was put on for the hot spot are causing the panting. Steroids are commonly prescribed for hot spots because it reduces the inflammation, itch and dries them out. Prednisone definitely makes dogs pant! If Storm is on steroids then the panting should resolve as the steroids are tapered. I hope this helps!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. That is a very high dose of steroids for a dog his size. This dose will suppress his immune system in addition to all of the side effects that you are noticing at home. Steroids will cause panting, increased thirst, urination and hunger. Some dogs will experience skin and coat changes, muscle weakness/ loss and gastrointestinal ulcers in rare cases. Doses this high are only used to treat severe life threatening conditions. I recommend contacting his veterinarian today to discuss his treatment plan. Typically the steroids are tapered once the primary disease is under control. There are other immunosuppressive drugs available that may have less side effects. Perhaps he would do better on a different medication. However, never stop steroids yourself as they need to be carefully tapered down. I hope this information helps!

Panting is a common side effect of prednisone, so unfortunately it will probably continue as long as he is taking this medication at her current dose. If it's bothersome to him or you, I would recommend calling his regular vet in the morning to discuss your concerns - you may be able to decrease Satchmo's dose or discontinue the medication earlier than planned, but I would not do this without speaking to your vet first because it could be dangerous depending on his underlying medical condition.

While allergic reactions can reoccur it can be very difficult determine what is triggering them. It is very rare for dogs to develop life threatening anaphylactic reactions, and the biggest concern with an allergic reaction is swelling around the throat which does not happen often. If you think Koda is having difficulty breathing you should see a veterinarian, but prednisone can sometimes cause panting.

These signs may be from the prednisolone which is a steroid. It would be better to call your vet to discuss decreasing the dose to reduce the symptoms. Benadryl does not always cause sedation and in some dogs can cause hyperexcitabilty. But, yes you can give all 3 together safely. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hello, thank you for your question about Emma. Rapid breathing could be a side effect of the prednisone but could also be a sign of progressive IMHA. I would recommend counting the number of time Emma breaths in a minute; if the rate is >60 breaths a minute this would be concerning. I would also recommend checking the color of her gums/tongue - if they appear pale or blue or have any color other than pink this is also concerning and could be indicative of progression of her IMHA. I would also be concerned if she is experiencing weakness or wobbly gait. These signs could also be a side effect of the prednisone but I would recommend evaluating the above things first to look for any obvious concerns that require immediate veterinary care. Hope this helps, good luck!

Prednisone can cause panting, but it shouldn't change the character of their breathing. (The panting should be the same sound/speed as his normal pant is). If it doesn't seem like he's just panting, get him in to see your vet. If he has other symptoms as well (coughing, labored breathing, vomiting, lethargy, etc) please seek emergency care. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!