Prednisone question

Six weeks isn't too long, but I would add milk thistle anyway. I used it when Frisby was on her very high doses of pred for IMHA. Callie can give you info about where to get it. (I get mine from an herbalist where I live so I don't deal with ordering it myself.) I use the seeds and grind them myself. Others get the stuff that's already ground up and others get capsules (very expensive). 

On anothe note--are Lex's issues with his feet? Are they thinking it's allergies? Sinbad has/had allergies and the vets thought it was a grass allergy for quite awhile. (I adopted him last fall but he's had the same vets his whole life (almost 12).)  I took him off chicken about 6 months ago after reading lots of good info here and so far (knock on wood), we're itchy free this summer! 

I hope Lex feels better soon!

I don't know if this is relevant on low doses for allergies-but a stomach protectant is sometimes good-Willow took Pepsid. 

Milk thistle, milk thistle, milk thistle. 

Not only does it "protect" but it aids in liver *function* so it actually helps the body process the pred *better*.  It also helps detox the liver (pred is exceedingly hard on the liver, in particular).  If you elect to get it from somewhere like Whole Foods and get the capsules - you'll want to give at least two twice a day.  (that's a *minimum* dose -- milk thistle is *very* different from other things -- this is literally a 'protectant';).  Start with one twice a day for the first day or two and then put it up to two if it is well tolerated.

 You'll get about 60 or so caps for close to $20.  Milk thistle does *not* taste bad - pretty benign.  so if you can get it in bulk you can add a heaping half teaspoon to their food twice a day.  If you do kibble you may want to add a topper to mix it in. 

The beauty of the bulk powder is it is exponentially cheaper.  You can get a **pound** of milk thistle for $12.70 from http://www.leavesandroots.com (between their essential oils, perfume oils, teas and soaps I can spend the $20 minimum easily but be aware they DO have a minimum but they're reputable and good.  There **are** other places to get it tho - that's just at least one I can offer that I know is excellent quality herb.

That bottle of 60-70 caps?  That's about 1 1/2 ounces of herb.  (yeah, and I said a whole pound in bulk??pphew).  Leaves and roots carries the whole seed -- not much different in price but Kate is WAY more domestic than I am *smile*.  I buy the ground powder! LOL

If you go somewhere like Whole Foods -- you can **probably** find milk thistle "tea" -- which is a small amount of bulk herb (probably still way cheaper than the caps). 

Don't give *less* as you wean off.  Keep giving the milk thistle not only thru wean off but a good big month at least after.  Pred stays *in* the body for like 6 months -- so helping the body detox is a good thing.

Now for some the caps are easier -- and that's fine (their bodies don't digest cellulose super well but it's not a deal-killer).  But DO buy a good quality herb.  Wildcrafted or "certified organic" is best -- but don't buy a generic or store brand here.  Even Solaray (which used to be the best brand of herb you can buy) isn't wonderful any more. 

 You will see the word "standardized" -- that means "averaged".  It's a cop-out.  It means the company *Knows* their herb isn't pure (read "we know some of the quality is poor and there's a certain amount of sticks and straw in this that we don't bother to pick out but it at least meets a 'standard';).

For what it's worth -- I use milk thistle frequently -- if I have to put on flea meds, I use milk thistle.  If I know the neighbor is fertilizing his yard, I use milk thistle, if the city has sprayed for mosquitos, I use milk thistle.  My lawn guy has to treat for cinch bugs this week so guess what?  Luna and Tink both get milk thistle this week.  It's just a great protectant and it's usually super well tolerated.

calliecritturs

Now for some the caps are easier -- and that's fine (their bodies don't digest cellulose super well but it's not a deal-killer).

I used to just open the capsule and mix with her food-its like a powder inside and they are easily opened. 

willowchow

I used to just open the capsule and mix with her food-its like a powder inside and they are easily opened. 

That's absolutely fine to do -- have done it many times.

Thanks for the link Callie! I add yogurt to his kibble on occasion, but whats a good mix in with the milk thistle? We already know he has a flea allergy since he was a pup so my vet thinks either the fleas are still biting him and then dying (he is ALWAYS on flea preventative), or he has a grass/pollen/tree allergy.

ETA - Just checked out the website, since there is the 20$ minimum I was searching for something else to buy but I have no idea really what any of it is for. So what should I get along with the milk thistle thats good to have on hand?

zatchbell322

Thanks for the link Callie! I add yogurt to his kibble on occasion, but whats a good mix in with the milk thistle?

My dogs are as in love with Greek yogurt as I am (strawberry, blueberry YUM -- they aren't nearly as sweet as American yogurt with fresh fruit.  mmmmmm)

Dogs like plain yogurt too -- and honestly sardines would be an awesome thing to add because the omega -3's are always good for allergy dogs.  Just a sardine a day (buy the cheap ones -- in water or olive oil).

zatchbell322

 We already know he has a flea allergy since he was a pup so my vet thinks either the fleas are still biting him and then dying (he is ALWAYS on flea preventative), or he has a grass/pollen/tree allergy.

mmm -- typically when you see flea allergy dermatitis it's at the small of the back, and it will extend down the back legs and up the back.  Just *one* flea bite to an allergic dog will produce weeks and weeks of itching (they are allergic to the flea *spit* -- yep, it's true).  But the scungy, scabby skin just happens.  You don't typically see foot licking with flea allergy dermatitis.

 and it only takes ONE flea to bite ONE time and die and it will provoke the whole chain reaction, skin scabs, etc.  So I doubt what you are seeing is flea allergy dermatitis. (That's a good thing - it is miserable)

He's young to see atopic allergies but it surely can happen -- keeping his paws CLEAN (literally keep a box of baby wipes by the door and *every* time he comes in wipe off his belly, flanks, legs & feet to wipe off pollen). 

Bathing an allergy dog **weekly** is a really good thing -- atopic/hay fever stuff actually goes into their skin.  In order to bathe them every week and not get a dry coat you can get some tea tree oil (and theirs *is* a really good quality) and a dropper bottle -(under "miscl";).  After you've bathed him put 20-25 drops of tea tree in a dishpan (drag it right into the bathtub) -- and then use an old mug to pour the teatree + water over and over him til it all finally goes down the drain. 

STAND his two front feet in the basin and pour over the stuff over the front half of him and then turn him around so the back 2 feet are in the basin -- it really helps reduce the itchy feet/yeasty infection that can arise from the allergies.

Under "soaps" both the Tussi Neem and the Witch Hazel soaps are good for itchy skin.  They are bar soap so get a pair of cotton gloves and work up the lather in yourh ands and massage it into the wet coat. 

Unfortunately it's not at all difficult for ME to spend $20 there LOL

Just placed my order! It was easy to spend the minimum 20$

Yeah -- it tends to be WAY too easy for me.  *smile*