Prednisone & Amoxicillin for Dyspnea

Question
I have an eight year old female Newfoundland who recently developed breathing problems while I was showing her at an elementary school.  The vet thinks this was stress induced due to the large number of children.  He has since prescribed short term daily treatment with prednisone and amoxicillin. While her breathing is showing improvement, she has become very lethargic with no interest in walks or rides.  Also, while her water consumption has increased, she seems to have little appetite.  In your experience, are these symptoms to be expected?

Answer
Hi Don,

It's a common side effect for dogs to drink more, and subsequently urinate more when taking prednisone. This medication can cause an increased appetite, but it can also cause an upset stomach or GI disturbances, which might explain your dog's lack of appetite.  Joint pain is another side effect, which could explain not wanting to walk. These side effects will go away, when you stop giving your dog the medication.

Continue giving your dog the prednisone, but you should contact your vet, tell him or her that you are seeing these side effects, so your the dosage can be adjusted, or possibly get a change of medication.

Just don't stop giving your dog the prednisone. There should be a gradual reduction in dosage before stopping.

Hope that helps,
Patti