Poor Duncan is not himself. Steroids may not be his friend.

[Theresa & Duncan]

I'm really waiting for my Dood to catch a break here. Last Saturday he was acting funny.He kept running around in circles almost like he was trying to catch his trail, only he has never been much of a trail chaser. After watching him for a few minutes, it looked more like he was trying to get at something under his leg that was bothering him. I had him lay on the floor so I could do some investigating. I found some angry looking red spots far down on his groin Not liking the looks of these I decided to make an appointment with the vet who saw Duncan this past Monday. The diagnosis was an allergy that became irritated from licking, then infected. Duncan was prescribed an antibiotic and a steroid to be taken for the next two weeks. I felt better knowing it wasn't anything too sinister, and that we would be treating his itchiness. Here we are, four days later and I'm kind of wishing I never started him on the medication. The vet warned me that the steroid may increase his thirst and urination, but I have never seen my poor baby have to pee so much! He doesn't seem to be having any G.I. issues and he's eating just fine but he's definitely not himself. I wouldn't go so far as to call him lethargic, but it's a pretty near thing. He is laying around a lot and is not really playful at all. From what I have read on different websites it sounds like this could be a side effect of the steroid and it started pretty soon after he began taking that medicine. Talked to the vet again today, and he told me that we can start backing off the steroid sooner and a little  faster than  we were going to. I'm really hoping this helps restore my pup to his usual energetic self! On a side note, the itchiness has improved and the spots are nearly gone.

[Theresa & Duncan]

Thanks everyone. It has been really helpful to know that others have experienced this side effect and their doods have bounced back. We reduced his dose of steroids and he has regained some of his liveliness. He's not totally himself yet, but I feel confident that he will be once this steroid business is over! There was a new development a few days ago when his nose started getting very dry and brown-looking. Again, with all that has been going on with him I am sure it is related to the allergy/antibiotic/steroid love triangle. The good news is that rubbing his nose with natural coconut oil has helped immensely with this issue in a very short period of time!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I hope Duncan is feeling better!

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

My Jake has skin issues and I make a conscious effort to look over his skin at least once a day before something gets out of hand.  Unfortunately this past summer he came down with some serious hot spots and was on an antibiotic along with the steroid.  He had the same symptoms you described above.  It was very sad to see Jake so still.....almost lethargic.  Once he was weaned off them he was fine.  I hope Duncan does well and like I said above I really try to head off Jake's hot spots before they get too bad.

[cheryl & oliver]

We had much the same problem with Oliver, and he takes 2 benedryl every morning and it has really helped with the problem.  I hate those shots, they pee, like you say all the time, and they drink too much...I am not a steroid fan, but when the problem has exaserbated like it has on Duncan, it is needed...Hope he is better real soon...

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Get well soon Duncan!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

They didn't really seem to bother Lucy much at all.  She was a little more hungry, but sometimes that is sort of hard to notice cause she is always hungry.  Sophie has been on them since October when she was diagnosed with Lymphoma.  She went on them the same time they started the chemo.  She was very thirsty and peed a lot.  But she also had very high calcium which made her drink and pee as well.  However, we were home all the time so were able to send her outside frequently so that helped.  She is loosing a lot of her hair which I've been told is from the prednisone and not the chemo.  Her hair is also very dry.  She pants a lot like she is really hot all the time.  She doesn't have much stamina but I'm guessing that is from the chemo. 

[Theresa & Duncan]

Duncan is still pretty young, so this is the first experience we've had with steroids. What kind I reactions have Lucy and Sophie had, if you don't mind me asking? I'm just hoping that's it and not something else, but this really started when we became them. Even with the sores he was acting just fine.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

The good news is you are getting to reduce the dose and it is a temporary thing.  I'm glad that it has helped his itchiness and cleared up the sores.   Hopefully as the dose comes down it will reduce the side effects.  Both our girls have been on them and they have different reactions. 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I have no experience with steroids but hope that Duncan is feeling better soon.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Sorry that Duncan's having difficulties. Steroids can be horrible to deal with! Hopefully, he'll be fine soon.