Medrol & Soloxine Interactions?

[appychik]

Tucker (my American Cocker Spaniel) was just put on Medrol due to some serious allergy issues going on (both in his ears and on his feet). He's been on prednisone before without any issues, but never Medrol (though it is a similiar drug).

Today he literally clawed through the wall trying to get out while we were at work. This hasn't happened in YEARS. He's also been panting like crazy.

I'm waiting until tomorrow to give the vet a call (got home after they closed) to see if there are any interactions we need to be aware of with him being on both Soloxine (well, he's technically on Thyroxine), Medrol and Cephalexin (the latter two are new because of the allergy/infection that's going on). He's been on the last two drugs since Thursday morning. No issues until today.

The only things I could see is that prolonged steriod use can cause more hypothyroid problems... but Tucker is only on the Medrol for 21 days, at a decreasing dosage. He's been on Cephalexin before without issues too. Anyways, I'm aware of the excessive water intake/output and the increased hunger (typical with most prednisone-type drugs) but was unaware of panting/behavorial changes. Does anyone know about clashing of these drugs? I feel bad for my poor boy... he's already crazy and now he's worse! :no:

[AKB]

In humans there is no problem giving a short course of steroids to a person who is on thyroid/thyroxine. Corticosteroids can cause behavioral changes. I have had parents tell me that if I insist on giving their child steroids, they are leaving him with me until the steroids effects of behavior wear off!

[idlemoon]

I doubt it is an "interaction" between the drugs, but could for sure be a reaction to the steroids.. Often dogs will have behavioural changes with steroids. Just because he tolerates one type, he may not tolerate a different one. Often allergic dogs will be hypothyroid contributing to skin/ear problems and often need antibiotics and steroids.

I have seen normal dogs become erratic, aggressive, lethargic and just plain not right on steroids. I have also seen panting as a side effect that does not seem to stop even when pet is in a cool area.

I would make sure that he does not seem in any respiratory distress. Are his gums a bright "Bubble-gum" pink? or are they pale, gray, blue? Do they seem overly red? If you press his gums, they should blanche to white, then with in 2 seconds return to a bubble gum pink.

Are his bowel movements normal color and consistency? Make sure they are not black/ tarry looking stools.

Does he settle and sleep now that you are home?

Is his stomach a normal size? Does it seem distended, painful or bloated/firm?

Lisa

[appychik]

Yeah... the panting was in a VERY cool house, air conditioning going full blast and a fan on. He's finally settling down now, since it's bed time - he's otherwise been non-stop for the previous 3 hours or so since I got home. Haven't seen him panting in the last hour either.

Gums are normal, as is stomach. I haven't let him out today at all (still live at home) but would have heard from my parents if bowel movements have changed at all... though that wouldn't be unusual for Tucker. Gotta love allergy dogs :winkgrin:.

Tucker's thyroid condition is under control with the Thyroixne. He was diagnosed a few years back when I was working at a vet clinic... amazing how much the meds make a difference. But, because of his LOVELY genetics, he's allergic to just about everything and has major flareups every spring. This spring was exceptional in the upper midwest... and boy did we have issues. Needless to say, in addition to the two meds (Medrol and Cephalexin) he's on three topicals :eek:. He's a great patient... but this drug reaction is new to me.

Should I check with the vet to see if we can switch to the Prednisone, instead of Medrol? Like I mentioned previously, we've never had issues with Prednisone.

I just feel bad for the poor boy. It doesn't help that he also has major separation anxiety when I'm gone... and it's only when I'm gone. We've basically ignored the separation anxiety because meds really don't help. But, I don't want to live with an even crazier dog for another 19+ days... and its just not fair to him.

[idlemoon]

Yes, please to look at the stool when he goes out, just to be on the look out for a GI bleed.

I adore allergy dogs as well, as if it were not for them I would not have a paycheck. You said he has munerous allergies, so he has been tested? Has he been started on immunotherapy? If giving him shots is not an option, is he a candidate for Atopica?

Since he is on so much, I assume they have done skin cytologies to look for bacteria and yeast on the skin? I often see General practitioner vets catch the concurrent bacterial infections, often not catch the concurrent skin yeast infections.

I would ask your vet about switching back to the prednisone, but why did they change in the first place? Was it not as effective as it once was?
Lisa

[appychik]

Yes, please to look at the stool when he goes out, just to be on the look out for a GI bleed.

I adore allergy dogs as well, as if it were not for them I would not have a paycheck. You said he has numerous allergies, so he has been tested? Has he been started on immunotherapy? If giving him shots is not an option, is he a candidate for Atopica?

Since he is on so much, I assume they have done skin cytologies to look for bacteria and yeast on the skin? I often see General practitioner vets catch the concurrent bacterial infections, often not catch the concurrent skin yeast infections.

I would ask your vet about switching back to the prednisone, but why did they change in the first place? Was it not as effective as it once was?
Lisa

Will definitely check for GI bleeding in the morning. He's resting comfortably now :winkgrin:.

He's been tested and was on allergy shots (I'm guessing the technical term is immunotherapy) for a couple years, about 5 years back. Environment changed about that time (moved home to MN from GA, HUGE climate change) and things improved, to an extent, so we discontinued the $$$ shots. In recent years, we've managed to stay on top of his problems... Vit A really helps reduce the seborrhea buildup in his ears. So, he’s on that year around. Was on hydroxine (and the other similar “allergy” meds) for years with no real improvement… so we discontinued those meds. What is the Atopica? I can’t remember if I’ve heard about that or not…

He does have food allergies though, but they’ve always presented themselves in the form of explosive diarrhea. Lovely, huh? Finally got a good food figured out and all was well. He’s now on Hills W/D, and although he has allergies to chicken, he does surprisingly well on this diet… no diarrhea at all in years (unless he’s stressed… then it’s BAD). Finally diagnosing the hypothyroidism and getting him on meds helped immensely too, though his only symptom of thyroid issues has been the reoccurring ear issues (but that’s also a breed thing) and dry skin. Never was overweight or had hot spots… many of the common things the vet clinics I worked at saw in undiagnosed dogs.

This time around at the vet they did do cytologies… both of the ear and skin. I forget all the findings… yeast, bacteria and white blood cells on the feet, and just some bacteria in the ears, I think. This vet (and the practice in general) hasn’t seen Tucker for these full blown allergy issues. All of that work was done at the previous vet cinics I worked at… neither practice is in existence anymore (all the vets retired).

I’m not sure why she put him on Medrol this time around. This new vet clinic (have used for the previous two years or so) has never dispensed the prednisone for Tucker. I have a stash from before I left… probably is expired by now though. Anyways, will definitely be giving the practice a call tomorrow (if they are open) or Monday for sure. I just hope he can stay in his own skin until then. And not sure about the effectiveness of the prednisone… the issues seemed to go away when he was on it a month or two back… but then everything resurfaced, hence the vet visit. Although self-medicating is NOT a good thing, I’ve had this dog for all of his 7 years, of which five of those years I worked in a vet clinic. He’s pretty easy to figure out and before the old clinic closed for good I was able to stock up on our normal “drugs of choice”. Sadly my supply has greatly dwindled. It will be interesting to see what the vet says.