Dexamethasone Cat Medicine | Petco

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Vet Q & A
My cat has lymphoma. Should she take prednisolone or dexamethasone?
Dexamethasone is 7 times stronger than prednisolone and has an increased rate of GI upset or stomach ulcers. Typically on prednisolone is used in cat because prednisone is broken down to prednisolone--so it is easier to start with the broken down form already. Prednisolones are specifically used when talking about lymphoma due to the potential side effects of dexamethasone. Dr.s chooses one over the other base on preference or what you are treating -- specific diseases have research to back the use of one--lymphoma does better with prednisolone. You will not see a fast improvement with just prednisolone or even if you added stronger chemo. It is a slow progress no matter what. Just using prednisolone you can see a good appetite, no change in diarrhea, no added weight gain. It merely suppress the cancer cells temporarily and helps them feel better. Even with other chemos, it is long term process with slow results---2-4 months to see improvement with the diarrhea in severe cases. They stay on the medicine long term and the doses can be alternated based on how each patient responds
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellness
Is my cat's prednisolone dosage for pancreatitis safe and typical?
Yes, that is a typical decreasing dosage program. While steroids are not recommended for long term use, cats have less problems with them than dogs. Also long term use generally means many months or years. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care get answers to your veterinary questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Caring for a sick cat: IVs, feeding tubes, and prednisone questions
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am sorry Sam is so sick. To answer your questions: 1) I would be cautious to allow a pet owner to travel 6 hours while the cat is attached to IV fluids. We use fluid pumps to administer the right volume of fluids. They would be unable to use a pump in the car due to the need to likely have to plug it in a some point. They do have a battery but in my experience the batteries never last long enough. They could set a drip from the IV fluid bag but cats are sensitive to fluid overload and I would worry that with out a properly trained person monitoring the drips that Sam could receive too much. Maybe the best option would to keep Sam on IV fluids as long as possible and give him some fluids under the skin before he leaves to go to the University hospital. And then may be teach you how to give a 2nd dose under the skin half way to the University. Also he might be fine without fluids for 6 hours, but I am not sure how sick he is 2) IV fluids are just used to provide hydration. There are electrolytes and sometimes sugar int he fluids that in some way can "feed" the pet but it is not appropriate nutrition for a long time. There is Total Parental Nutrition (TPN) which is a white milk substance that is formulated to your pets needs that is given thorough a CENTRAL LINE placed in the animals neck (jugular vein) under anesthesia or heavy sedation. It has to be done sterilally and be kept sterile. It is an expensive option to feed a sick pet. TPN doesn't help the intestinal track stay healthy. Eating and digestive food feeds the intestinal cell lining and prevents shrinking of the lining. It is always best, if possible to geed food through the mouth. TPN has it's place for sure in critical animals. An Esophagostomy tube is a large red rubber tube that is placed under anesthesia in the side of the neck. The animal is feed a blenderized watered down canned food. Feeding this way helps keep the intestines happy, it is easy to place, it is less expensive and pet owners can do it at home when the animal is discharged until eating on their own and it can stay in a long time. 3) There are many ways steroids can be give. They can be given intravenously (dexamethasone, Dex SP), subcutaneously as a long lasting injection (Depo medrol, Vetalog), subcutaneously short term (injectable prednisole), as a pill or it can be compounded in to a liquid. I wish you and Sam the best of luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellness
Dog allergic to flea collar. Is dexamethasone dose enough? When will it work?
If that is a allergic reaction as it seems, the dose you gave should be enough to stop it. If the signs persist I would recommend to have him checked as soon as possible as more powerful (ideally injectable) treatment with steroids should be given. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellness
Is betamethasone valerate 0.1% topical cream safe for my cat?
In general, betamethasone is safe to use in cats, however without a physical exam we cannot say it would be appropriate to use in this situation. Ideally, Katty should be seen by your vet to determine if a topical cream is needed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025