Prednisone and Cushing syndrome

[tucker42]

I’m new to this forum and hopping I could get some help with our little dog, Tucker.
Our little tucker is an 8 year Maltase we had him from a pup. Tucker used to be very active and about 3 years ago he start having problems walking and keeping his balance. When we took him to our vet they thought he had a back problem and may need surgery, they ordered a MRI but that came back normal. After many test he was finally diagnose with Meningitis. The vet prescribed several medications and one of them was Prednisone, he takes 5mg in the morning and 5mg at night. He’s been on the Prednisone ever since he was diagnose about 3 years ago, we tried to get him off it many times but after a few weeks he starts having walking and balance problems again so we have to put him back on it.
With all that being said it brings us to the present. Tucker has all the signs of Cushing lost hair, big weight gain, drinks lots of water, pot belly. He has a hard time walking and it breaks your heart to watch him. He was never actually tested for Cushing syndrome but our vets (we have our regular vet and an internist) they both say the Cushing is caused by the Prednisone. Right now the biggest problem we have is his Weight and pot belly. I’m wondering if there was anyone in the forum that has the same problem and what they are doing for it, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and Tucker!

Unfortunately when prednisone is given over a period of time it can cause all the same symptoms of Spontaneous Cushing's and is known as Iatrogenic Cushing's. The only treatment for Iatrogenic is to slowly taper the steroid use but in some situations, as in Tucker's case, this just can not be done.

I have no experience with Meningitis or its treatment but from doing some googling I see that cyclosporine can be used when trying to taper the steroid use, could this be an option with Tucker?

The pot-bellied appearance is a result of the shifting of fat to the abdominal area and a weakening and wasting of muscle mass in the abdomen which is the catabolic effect from elevated cortisol, and sadly I don't know how to improve this without controlling the increased cortisol. :( Cushdogs are known for their ravenous appetite and some members give their dogs frozen green beans and/or carrots to help abate that hunger.

Gosh I sure am sorry for the reasons that brought you here but glad you found us and we will help in any way we can.

Hugs, Lori

[tucker42]

Lori thank you for your reply.

The other medication Tucker takes is taking is Cyclosporine or vet prescribed it with the hope we could reduce the Prednisone, so far it hasn’t worked. We just seen or vet the other day and she recommended reducing the Prednisone by 2 ½ mg (1/2 tablet) two times a week alternating the days we reduce the dosage. So we will be starting this in the next day or so.

[Harley PoMMom]

I figured that your vet did have you try the Cyclosporine but wanted to throw that thought out there just in case :o, and I am sorry that it didn't help. :(

I will be keeping fingers crossed that the tapering will work, keep us posted, ok?

Hugs, Lori

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome. My heart goes out to you has I had a golden retriever that was on predinsone for years and years and we couldn't get her tapered down either.Have you tapered the pred down to get to the 5mg am 5mg pm?

Prednisone is just like the bodies naturally occurring cortisol, so for his body it is like getting a huge input of cortisol every day, same as cushings does.

I know that there is a small amount of dogs who due to various conditions get both prednisone and trilostane. I don't know if this would be feasible even for your dog, and it's something I only thought of that perhaps could be discussed with your specialist. It might be a far out there thought and probably is, but anything is on the table to get the best for your furbaby.

[tucker42]

Sharlene and Molly thank you for your reply.

We tried many times to reduce Tuckers Prednisone, he does ok for a few weeks then the Meningitis symptoms start showing up. The Meningitis affects his nerves system and he has a hard time walking and keeping his balance. We see Tuckers internist next week and I’ll ask her about the trilostane. If you don’t mind me asking why was your golden retriever on the Prednisone?

[molly muffin]

Tasha was on prednisone for severe allergeis from the time she was 2 years old.
We too tried many times to take her off it, and just couldn't do it, she would break out within weeks of lowering the dosage. She couldn't even stand to be touched when it was flaring up. We certainly wanted her off it but just couldn't.

[tucker42]

were gone try and reduce tuckers Prednisone dosage once again. Right now he takes 10 mg per day 5 in the morning and 5 in the evening. This time were taking a little different approach, were gone reduce his dosage by 2 1/2 mg on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and maintain his regular dosage the rest of the week and keep our fingers cross.

[molly muffin]

Whatever works hopefully! :)
Let us know how it goes
Good Luck!!!

[Crazy Daisy]

I feel your pain! My girl was just diagnosed with iatrogenic cushings this week. :( She's been taking 1-2mg of prednisone per day for probably 7 years now. Praying your pup can get figured out!