Prednisone for Dog Cancer
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Updated: June 2nd, 2020
Cortisone drugs have a bad rap.
Pharmaceuticals like prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone, budesonide, and triamcinolone are drugs in the cortisone family. And over the years these medications have achieved much attention as bad chemicals.
This is very likely due to what could be described as overuse. These drugs of have historically been prescribed for a wide variety of medical conditions in medicine. Since these meds provide symptomatic relief for many problems, a large number of people–as well as pets–have received them. And the truth is that we have likely used them excessively in our patients in the past.
As time went on, the medical community began to realize that cortisone drugs have side effects that warrant other meds being tried first. In other words, using higher doses of cortisone drugs when milder treatments could have been effective has been shown to be the wrong strategy. We have witnessed this phenomenon in allergies and arthritis in particular.
However, when one is coping with a cancer diagnosis, the realization must be made that cancer is extremely aggressive. In spite of all of our medical advances, it still resists treatment. Thus, in order to get an edge on cancer to promote longevity and life quality, we need to use a broad range of tools to attack this disease.
Cortisone drugs have their place in cancer medicine. The side effects that are seen with cortisone use are rarely life threatening, while systemic cancer is always life threatening. Therefore if the drug can increase a patient’s lifespan and the disease will proceed relentlessly without it, it is sensible wisdom to at least consider its use.
Here are guidelines for the use of the most common drug in this class, prednisone, taken from Plumb’s Veterinary Handbook, the gold standard of veterinary drug texts:
1. Glucocorticoids can mask disease! Try not to use them until you have a diagnosis.
2. Make a specific diagnosis!
3. Determine course from outset
4. Determine endpoint before you starting treating
5. Use the least potent form for the minimal time
6. Know where glucocorticoids inappropriate. (Behrend 2007)
Prednisone and prednisolone are central players in cancer chemotherapy protocols, most commonly for lymphosarcoma. And the good news is that they really make a difference in both life quality and life span. Oncologists are achieving median survival times of 10-14 months using these chemo protocols. This is most definitely worth considering.
The bottom line is that in some cases we have swung too far in being anti-drug. We need a balanced approach to cancer treatment.
We should always consider diet, apoptogens, anti-metastatics, pain control as needed, and efforts to convert our patients to a cancer-fighting brain state. We must consider surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy (all of these are discussed in the Guide).
For more helpful information, get a copy of the Dog Cancer Survival Guide
Don’t forget, when using cortisone drugs, decrease the dose of Apocaps to ¼-1/2 the labeled dose if your dog is receiving cortisone drugs, give with a full meal, and use this combination under veterinary supervision only.
Best,
Dr. D
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Dear Dr. Dressler. I’d like to ask you about my dog. She’s almost 13 (next March)and has a HUGE lump on her side which was diagnosed (via aspirate not biopsy) as being soft tissue sarcoma. The vet that I went to suggested not to operate as she didn’t want to put her “over the edge” and she said the lump was so big it probably wouldn’t grow more as big tumors reach a point where they don’t grow anymore. Well, needless to say the lump has kept growing and it’s now the size of a cantaloupe. I took her to a surgery clinic and they said it would be a very invasive procedure that would cost in the range of $3000(this after an MRI that would be in the neighborhood of $900-1000 so close to $4000 total) and they probably wouldn’t get all of the tumor so it would probably grow back anyways.
She’s on 20mg Prednisone (every other day after the 5 day twice a day and then 5 day once a day.)which makes her EXTREMELY thirsty and she;s already taking Proin 25 for incontinence which is nullified by the amount of water she’s drinking, so often times especially after taking the Prednisone, there is big puddle of urine behind her after prolonged sleep. Her appetite is so-so compared to 4 months ago for example when she didn’t have the tumor, but she enjoys her chicken (cooked in pressure cooker) or roast (slow cooked)and she’ll eat some dry grain free kibble as well plus a senior vitamin.
For some reason, she’s less reluctant to eat the cheaper grain rich kibble that my other dog eats!
So at this point, since there appears to be nothing else we can do since the very expensive surgery which I can’t afford may be too much for her and without guarantees, I’m considering going all natural with Essiac, CoQ10, Milk Thistle, Curcumin, enzymes and ImmunoPro (or other immune system boosters) MINUS the Prednisone which seems to be making her more uncomfortable than helping due to the extreme thirst and urine leakage.
Do you think that at this point it’s more counterproductive to use Prednisone since it’s an immuno-suppressant? Besides her finicky eating with the dry food only she seems to be alright enjoying playing fetch, our walks and car rides and being feisty towards our other dogs like she’s always been!
I know you can only give suggestions and opinions and not medical advice but I’d like to know what you think about me not giving her Prednisone anymore since I’d be giving her immune boosters. Forgive my long post.
Thank you very much. Looking very much forward to your reply.
Dear Joe
pred has limited usefulness for these so I would discuss with your vet tapering off it. See if there is a vet that will do the surgery without the MRI (if safe enough). Consider apoptogens and neoplasene and high dose IV vit C as some more robust options to consider with your vet.
If you have not read the Guide, i believe this would be worth the investment.
Also:
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/the-cost-of-my-dogs-life-part-1/
I hope this helps
D
My dog has prostate cancer he is being taken care of by a hollistic vet he was on 15 mg prednisone and he is now down to .25 mg he was diagnosed in feb 2011 and has never been healthier, he is an american eskimo dog 11 years old an athlete all his life running in agility competions, i am hopping to get him off the prednisone by next year. Changing they way he eats and what he eats has been the best thing I have ever done most dog foods are killing our dogs.
my 14 year old has been diagnosed with MAST cell, she is on Prednil, is this of the family of Prednisolone? i dont like the side effects of bloating, hunger, thirst and weakness in the back legs. I am at odds as to whether continue with the drug when the Vet says she only has a couple of months to live, the cancer already progressed to the liver.
Dear Gillian,
there are other options- other pharmaceuticals (Kinavet, masitinib, and more), diet, apoptogens, and others. Are all of the tools at your disposal being used (always consult with your veterinarian)?
Best
Dr D
Dr. Dressler, I just bought The Dog Cancer Survival Guide and its very helpful to understand the options I have and the dietary changes needed. My 10 yr old lab, was recently diagnosed with low grade sarcoma after conducting a couple of biopsies. There is a growth on his palate and his new vet, who is a surgeon, just began with chemotherapy using Vincristine sulphate (Biocristin-AQ is the name of the specific drug). I tried looking for a veterinary Oncologist in India (I live in a city called Bangalore) but couldn’t find one. I would be grateful if you can recommend one/contact me so that I can explain further.
Dear Santhost,
I am sorry but I do not have a recommendation for oncologists in India.
D
My yorkshire terrier responded very well to prednisone for the last five weeks of her life; she ate well, had more energy, and didn’t have any major side effects. There is no cure for widespread cancer so whatever works to make your animal comfortable seems the best course of action.
Why do you say to cut the dose of Apocaps if the dog is receiving prednisone ?
The directions that come with the Apocaps say not to use them at all if the dog is getting prednisone. If I had known that before I bought them, I wouldn’t have wasted $65.
Dear Ellie,
general information can be found on the Apocaps website:
The apoptogens in Apocaps possess some anti inflammatory effects. As a general precaution, the statement to avoid the use of Apocaps with prednisolone is made on the bottle. Under veterinary supervision, we commonly use Apocaps along with pred medications but at reduced doses. The reason is there can be some overlapping side effects (rare digestive upset) when full strength Apocaps are used with full strength cortisone drugs. Thus under veterinary supervision at reduced doses and while the patient is monitored, this use is acceptable. Our highest priority is pet safety, and we are deliberately very precautious with safety recommendations, just as you would find with an over the counter medication such as aspirin, on the package insert.
As to your concern, if you are not fully satisfied you may return the product for a full refund.
I hope this clarifies your question and helps.
Best,
D
My Labrador was diagnosed with Lymphoma in early August. We quickly started reading up in this type of cancer in an effort to get as informed as possible. Chemotherapy was financially impossible. I was given some Prednisone by one veterinarian who suggested either of two similar approaches. I needed clarification on how much Prednisone whould really help, as we got some relief, but it kind of came and went. I called your clinic in Kihei and found out you don’t take phone calls or e-mail, and I didn’t need anyone to tell me that you’re super busy, as I can only imagine with all you do for pets and their owners. I had already bought the DC Survival Guide. But I needed to know if I could up the dosage when the L-Glands under my dog’s jaw began to swell more than before, and he was jjust dragging around the house. I left a simple message with your assistant with no promise that you would call back. You didn’t call back. But what would help people would be a way to get simple information quickly. I put the dog down within the 2 months estimated life time expected, still not knowing. I got the book though..so what. Your time is valuable and that’s the way it is. But do you want to help people or not?
Dear Bob,
I am sorry to hear about your dog, and I know that dealing with canine lymphoma is very painful.
Now, as to individual consultation: writing a book and a blog does not mean that I can be a veterinarian for everyone across the country at all times. I answer most questions to the best of my ability here on the blog, free of charge, as a public service. However, I do not supplant your veterinarian in giving specific and unique directions to cases where I cannot see the patient, have done not done a physical exam, have no access to lab work, etc. As a matter of fact, giving specific medical advice under these conditions regarding drug dosing for a given animal without having the veterinarian in charge of case management involved, and supervising the instructions, is not only bad medicine, it is borderline unethical professionally (at best). Finally, I have my own practice and a full caseload of patients, and there are only 24 hours in a day. So yes, I do want to help people, and I will do so to the best of my ability and within what I choose as feasible for me personally, and what is acceptable professionally and medically. Your veterinarian is the person who is responsible for drug dosing protocol and I am sure would have answered this question for you, and is the person who medically is managing your pet’s day to day needs.
Thank you for your understanding
Dr D
Hello, This is very good advice. I’m editor of the Sussex Spaniel Club of America’s newsletter, The Scentinel, and would like to reprint this article for our members. We have about 140 members. I believe they would find the information useful and interesting. Thank you. Barb Jones
Dear Barb,
no problem, just cite source and feel free to distribute.
Best,
Dr D
Actually, the same thought process was done with the chemo option we chose Doxorubicin. Has some nasty side effects, but with its ability to add some time to her diagnosis, it’s the route we chose for a few reasons.
Good stuff. I try to take the more holistic approach with myself and my Great Dane that has lymphoma. And while she was on a high dose of prednisone at first, it is tapering down, and the side effects weren’t that bad. Obviously all drugs have the negative side, but like said you have to weigh the situation and see if the benefits outweigh the negatives along with other options.
Considering it can be quite effective, makes every sense to use it.
Thanks very much for your comments Mark
Best,
Dr D