I have a 10 year old cat, who was always healthy. Last year, for a week or so, she didn't feel well, barely ate, stayed in her room, lost weight, but was still social when I'd go to her room. She started walking with a tilt, as if she was dizzy (I thought ear infection), and then she would tumble over and could barely walk, this happened over just a few days. I took her to a Feline Clinic, but all they could say was that she had a neurological problem, suggested putting her down or that I could take her to a specialty facility for a spinal tap and multiple tests etc, for $2,500 (to possibly come up with a diagnosis, maybe she had a brain tumor, would require surgery etc. This was last spring, I opted to take her home, asked if they could give her steroids so she'd feel better overnight and I could think.
She was "fine" the next day, I realize it was only the steroids. To get to the point of this post, she has been on Prednisolone for a year, and has done great. Now, it's almost impossible to get the pill in her. It has become a battle she manages to eat around whatever I put it in, I've resorted to crushing the pill, adding it to a morsel of food, and force her to eat it, holding her mouth closed until she swallows. It's horrible.
I've looked online to see about other options and there is an injectable version but the vet wants me to bring her in every 2-3 days for a shot, not possible. I've read that prednisolone is administered in an office, but why? Have any of you had any experience with the injectable version? Any other insight?
And I realize long term steroid use is not the best thing, but as the other option was to put her down, I'm okay with the possibility that it could affect her kidneys, she's still had an extra year, and has done really well.
My other cat is 20 (orange/white one) so this sort of problem made no sense to me, thoughts? Advice?
She was "fine" the next day, I realize it was only the steroids. To get to the point of this post, she has been on Prednisolone for a year, and has done great. Now, it's almost impossible to get the pill in her. It has become a battle she manages to eat around whatever I put it in, I've resorted to crushing the pill, adding it to a morsel of food, and force her to eat it, holding her mouth closed until she swallows. It's horrible.
I've looked online to see about other options and there is an injectable version but the vet wants me to bring her in every 2-3 days for a shot, not possible. I've read that prednisolone is administered in an office, but why? Have any of you had any experience with the injectable version? Any other insight?
And I realize long term steroid use is not the best thing, but as the other option was to put her down, I'm okay with the possibility that it could affect her kidneys, she's still had an extra year, and has done really well.
My other cat is 20 (orange/white one) so this sort of problem made no sense to me, thoughts? Advice?
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