Under-tail irritation + steroid

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

So, Ludo is a little red and irritated under his tail (right at his anus-- sorry for the TMI).  It was really bothering him yesterday and he licked and nibbled the area like crazy (which I think caused most of the irritation).  I took him to the vet today, worried that it could be related to anal glands but his glands were fine, no evidence of fleas, scratches or anything else.  She gave me Prednisone to calm it down and help stop with his licking.  I'm supposed to give him with this dosage:

One pill twice a day for 3 days.

One pill every once a day for the next three days.

One pill every other day until pills are gone.

I know steroids are tricky and that you have to wean off of them, but it seems like A LOT of steroids for just a little irritation... the first dose of prednisone seems to have knocked it out... no licking since I gave it to him.  I, of course, didn't think to question the amount of steroid WHILE I was at the vet, so I thought I would ask here... 

Do you think I could do one pill a day for 3 days, half a pill a day for the next 3 days and then half a pill every other day for the next few days?  Am I asking for trouble messing with the doses?

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Personally, I would call the vet in the morning and ask.

I completely understand you not wanting to give him any medication he might not need. But, even those of us with medical knowledge would be doing you and Ludo a disservice by recommending that you do something contrary to what the vet recommended.

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

You're totally right. I will call the vet and ask. I appreciate your thoughts here.  It would be irresponsible for me to take dosages into my own hands! I guess I just needed to hear it from someone else! :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Please don't adjust the dosage yourself without talking to your vet first.. I do think that the vet was much too aggressive with his treatment, but playing around with steroid dosage is not something you want to do without guidance from your vet. 

In the future, ask your vet for Gentocin topical spray, that's what my vet gave me when JD had a similar issue and it worked beautifully. No steroids needed. 

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

Thanks, Karen.  I realized after reading Lori's response how irresponsible that would be.  I'll call the vet in the morning (before he's due for his next dose) and ask if there is a less aggressive dosage option and I'll ask about that spray!  I don't like him being on steroids, but I think I need to work up to being more of vocal and question what they're giving him rather than just taking it and leaving.  I'll learn my lesson :P 

As always, thanks so much!

[Kamela & Beckett]

A few weeks ago I took Beckett to our vet for what I thought was a hematoma on his ear. Turns out it was just inflammation (from what vet thinks may be food allergies) and he commented that he was a day or two away from having yet another ear infection. He gave him a steroid shot to address the inflammation and irritation. It helped and it was a one time thing. Maybe you could ask about a shot or at least keep that in mind for next time?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The shot is a one time thing, but depending on which form of steroid is used, it's up to 40 times more powerful than the oral prednisone, and stays in the body longer. I have been advised by two of Jack's specialists never to allow anyone to give him a steroid injection unless it's an emergency. 

[Kamela & Beckett]

It was a low dose. We discussed it. He's used to me questioning everything (after all we've been through with our elderly Schnauzer's multiple issues) and knows that I am not a fan of over-treating or big on meds just for the sake of doing something. But good info to have, thanks.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

  Let us know what the vet says when you call and also how he is doing.  I hope he heals quickly.

[Cathy Murphy]

Finn just got put on the exact same dosage of Prednisone for a hot spot on his foot (two toes).  He also gave me the

Gentocin spray and the Cone Of Shame!  Fortunately we did not need to have an antibiotic as we caught it early!  While I am not crazy about the steroids, they can work miracles and keeping him comfy and  getting this healed quickly seems like a worthwhile trade off.  Based on that dosage he will be off them in a week.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Was Ludo groomed recently?  Something similar happened to Beau last year after he had been groomed.  My groomer took his hair a little too short in that area and I was not happy.  She had never done that before.  I now clip that area myself prior to going in for a full groom.  She does not touch that area, other than bathing and he has had no issues since.