My dog will be on prednisone soon...?

You definitely need to walk her more. Otherwise, since she is eating more, she will gain weight which could compromise her health.

Three months isn't long term but it isn't short term either.

And try to be optomistic. Your girl really needs you to be confident and loving right now. So, for her, you have to think good thoughts.

And stop by a health food store. Cell Forte, with IP6, has been shown effective on numerous different types of cancer. Might help - can't hurt.

I had a friend whose dog had a back leg removed because of this cancer. The doctor said that the amputation would increase his chances of living, but only for about six months. He lived for another four years and fathered puppies before passing away at the age of 13 (not bad for a German Shepherd). A friend's German Shorthair was given the same type of death sentence at age 10 (bone cancer). He lived to be 17 and had to be put down finally. Doctors don't know everything.

I wish you the best of luck with your baby. And kudos for doing everything you can to beat this!

I am so sorry to hear your dog has been diagnosed with mast cell. GOD I hate cancer, especially mast cell which is relentless, eh.

Unfortunately, Pred -while it can be wonderful- does carry along a lot of unwanted side-effects. Most owners complain the most about the frequent urination.

Three months is quite a long time to be on Pred. On average patients take if for 3 weeks, but in your case it is obvious as to why your veterinarian opted for the 3 month plan.

At first you will be loading him up with the Pred and then as the weeks pass you will be slowly tapering the dose down. Usually the last few weeks you will be giving the Pred every-other day or every third day until gone.

It is important to follow the dosing instructions to a T because Pred, as you know, is a steroid and needs to be gradually tapered out of the system.

You should expect to come home and find urine if you are leaving him for 8 hours at a time. He simply cannot be expected to hold it for that long on the Pred. Is there any way you can have someone come let him out during the day?

When he is on the Pred it is important to feed him the best diet possible. I highly recommend a raw diet. I would add a multivitamin and salmon oil to his food each day. One raw egg a week or every two weeks is also advised.

If you have friends or family that would be willing to do doggy day care while your not home....or take him to the day care it is only about $9 daily and you can request a kennel that has an in/out doorway so your dog can go out when he needs to....this is a hard time on him as well and needs comfort and more care....Prednisone can affect the kidneys but I'm not sure if your time frame is short.....hopefully the dosage goes down over the 3 mths to wean him off......

Generally the side effects are worse for the first week or so of steriod therapy. You shouldn't restrict his water when he's on them, so your only option is to pray that he doesn't go in the house, or hire someone to take him out for a pee break halfway through the day.

Is surgery not an option for your dog? Prednisone is just going to help shrink the tumour (usually go on it for about 6mths) as opposed to surgery which would (hopefully !) remove the entire growth.

one of my dogs was on prednisone last year.you will definitely need somebody to walk her every 3-4 hours.12weeks is the shortest period of treatment.prednisone made my dog hungry, thirsty, lost all hair on chest and abdomen, inner thighs.She was constantly panting, feeling hot! Also, prednisone makes the dog immunosuppressed, and prone to skin infections(staph. infection).hire a dog walker for those couple months, and put on the air conditioner for the dog, or let her hide in your basement(if you have a basement)