Old Dog on Prednisone

[countrymom22]

Okay, I have a question. My old dog, Beau, hurt his neck and has been on Prednisone and Tramadol since Friday. He has started drinking a lot of water and needing to go out every 1-2 hours. Previously, he would go out maybe 4 times in 24 hours. He had an accident in the house last night, right by the door to the dog run, and he never has accidents.

Is this a result of the Prednisone or the Tramadol? If it is, how long once he stops taking the meds can I expect him to go back to normal?

I hope this is a side effect of the meds, because his last vet trip was $180, for the neck thing, and I really don't need and additional unexpected vet bill. I'm also not ready to lose my old buddy, so I want this to be something that will easily resolve itself. If it doesn't, I guess I need to take him in for blood work. But, we think this only started when he started on the meds.

We are planning a day trip on Sunday, so I guess I will have to find someone to come in and let him out a couple of times that day, or else I'll have to stay home with him.  Taking him with us is not an option. 

Has anyone had a dog on these meds with this problem?  Or is anyone familiar with these meds to know if this is a common side effect?

Thanks for the help!

[aoconnor]

Yes, it is the prednisone. It will make him drink a lot, when he stops getting the med it will slow down the water intake.

Tramadol is a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory drug that has no effect on water intake that I know of. If he will need to be on Tramadol long term (you said he is an older dog), then ask for the generic "Carprofen" to be prescribed. It is less expensive than Tramadol.

[countrymom22]

Thanks aoconnor, He is not usually on the Tramadol. Actually today was his last day on that, but he is still on the Prednisone. The first 3 days he got half a tablet 2X a day, now he is on 1/2 tablet 1X daily. On Friday he starts on 1/2 a tablet every other day until the script is finished.

He didn't have any accidents last night, so made being on the lower dose now will help his urination.

Thanks for the info.

Sue

[aoconnor]

countrymom22, Sure, no problem!! I hope your guy gets feeling better very soon:-)

[countrymom22]

I think he is feeling just fine, judging by the trip we took out to the barn tonight!