Are low energy and hard breathing normal prednisolone side effects?

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!

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!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Lua. Yes, a general loss of energy is a common side effect of prednisone. This should pass after she goes off the steroid. It's good that she is eating and drinking, and I would continue to monitor her. I hope this helps!

Prednisone can absolutely cause behavior changes and mood alterations. The side effects are usually at their greatest during the first two to four week of therapy as the body grows accustomed to glucocorticoid drugs. The metronidazole is not likely a cause of any side effects you are currently seeing. If you are consulting with a oncologist regarding Pepe's case, do not hesitate to contact them with any questions involving his therapy. These cases can often be complex and require a lot of special attention to drug interactions. Anyway, if you require further consultation please let me know. Hope this makes sense.

You are correct that these are very common side effects of prednisolone. The good news is, they are normally not dangerous to the dog - just a bit annoying to deal with. Without knowing why Snitch was prescribed this medication, I can't tell you whether or not it would be safe to skip a dose - so I would not recommend making any changes to his prescribed medication schedule until you speak to his regular veterinarian. I would suggest calling his veterinarian to discuss your concerns and ask about possibly modifying his dose when you are able to - until then, it would be best to continue the medication as prescribed.

Excessive drinking and urination, as well as behavioral changes (aggression, hyperactivity and agitation can all occur) can all be attributed to steroid administration. Long acting steroids can last 2-4 weeks, depending upon which exact medication was given. As the steroid wears off, you should see these side effects resolve. Fiddle will return to his normal self again, don't worry! :-)

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.