You are here:

Cats/older cat on steriods

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/29/2009


Question
I have a 14 yr old cat (female/spayed) that has been throwing up for over 5
years.  5 years ago, my vet did blood work and prescribed Prednisone.   The
vomiting stopped and I assumed the problem was solved once the bottle was
finished.  1 year later the vomiting started up again.  The vet ran expensive
tests and prescribed Prednisone again.  I have been told that steriods are not
good to take on a daily basis.  My cat has been off the Prednisone for almost
1 year now.  She vomits and I clean up after her.

What should I do for my cat?

Answer
B,

At age 14 your cat is considered geriatric and vomiting is not unusual.  Remember, I am not a vet!  The problem with steroids is that they depress the immune system, so you have to be very aware of this possibility, especially with respect to infections, fungus, and the like.  Also consider slowly reducing the dosage slowly to a minimum that seems to be effective, e.g. a 1/4 tablet 3 times a week.  The lower the dose that will be effective, the better.

If you stop the steroids it should be done on a gradual basis.

One thing to discuss with your vet is the possibility it might be a mild pancreatitis which can be treated by an enzyme called viokase. Viokase is relatively inexpensive, comes in fairly soft tablets, and can be sprinkled on her food about 15 minutes before feeding.  Most cats do not mind it.

Also, as cats get older, their tolerance of certain foods decreases, so you might consider feeding her a semi-soft food she will eat.

Please let me know how things go.

Best regards... Norm.  

Cats

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.