Prednisone and cats

[lachelle]

Anyone else ever had a cat on prednisone? My fat cat got diagnosed with “asthmatic symptoms” so he’s on pred for a month and a half as a trial to see if it helps his breathing.

The problem is he stopped eating. Everything I’ve read about side effects of prednisone say it will give the cat an increase appetite. Which I was worried about because he’s quite the fatty at 16 lbs. But I also have read that a sudden drop in food intake is detrimental to their liver I will try to talk to my vet tomorrow, but just wanted to see if anyone else has had a cat go off their food.

He’s a picky eater so I don’t know if the taste of the pill in his throat is making him turn his nose up? He acts hungry. Then doesn’t eat…

[rememberthenight]

You need to talk to your vet about it. Prednisolone is often better tolerated in cats. Not eating would have me concerned.

[Kachina]

Have only ever given Prednisolone. It always make them eat more here. I would be very concerned.

[lachelle]

Vet said to cut his dose in half and see if there’s any improvement.

These cats are trying to give me a stroke this week. I swear.

[poltroon]

Suddenly not eating is very dangerous for cats. Glad you called the vet.

[lachelle]

Sorry guys. You were right! Prednisolone!

[Simkie]

How long has the cat been refusing food?

I’ve also never had one stop eating on prednisolone. Would make me wonder if something else is going on…

[Beckham03]

That is odd. It usually makes them ravenous. Definitely warrants a vet visit if appetite doesn’t pick up.

[lachelle]

He’s been eating so far since we dropped him to a half dose. Fingers crossed that did the trick!

[redalter]

lachelle- hope that helps. I have an asthmatic kitty who has to be on pred. She has not seemed to have any side effects other than increased appetite.

Good luck with her!

[katenreno]

My cat had a very strange reaction to oral prednisolone for asthma. He started dropping weight and vomiting, and his liver values went absolutely sky high. Originally we didn’t think it was related to the pred, but after running several diagnostics, we were left with no answers. We decided to taper his pred down in preparation for getting liver and GI biopsies, and on the morning of his scheduled surgery, his liver values were almost normal. He’s 3 years off the pred and has not had a liver issue since. Interestingly, he’s a black and white cat, but after all this happened, he is rust and white. His black hair turned brown and has never gone back. Weird cat things… :rolleyes: