Prednisone Pain Relief & Arthritis | Petco

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Vet Q & A
Is Prednisolone safe for my senior cat's joint pain? What are options?
I am very sorry to hear about your kitty! We do sometimes resort to steroids in cases where quality of life is suffering but try to avoid when possible. I would ask your vet about starting a glucosamine chondroutin joint supplement and starting Adequan injections. These can help many of these cases be more comfortable with no ill effects.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Vet Q & A
Why does my cat's urine smell strong on Prednisone and drinking a lot?
I recommend to have Rocky examined by his veterinarian. Prednisone can cause suppression of the immune system and could allow a urinary tract infection to set in. It is best to get this checked out quickly. Also, there are other methods to help cats with arthritis. Some pets do require steroids but you may try supplements and other pain medications first since steroids tend to carry more side effects. There is a supplement called Adequan that many cats do very well on. There is a medication called Gabapentin that works well for arthritis. Starting an omega-3 fatty acid supplement for pets can also be beneficial. Most pets benefit from a combination of treatment. I hope this helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Vet Q & A
My old cat has gingivitis & lost a tooth. Can I give prednisolone?
Unfortunately, by law it is illegal for the experts at Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to recommend using any drug without seeing the animal in person first. That's because doing so requires a veterinary client patient relationship which cannot be achieved via an internet forum. In addition, the experts cannot say for certain if a specific drug is safe for Rudy. I strongly urge you not to give him the prednisone, as they can only be given to cats under specific situations and if they are heathy. Give his vet a call to let them know he is in pain, and you can see if they can prescribe some pain medication for him. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Vet Q & A
Can I stop my cat's Prednisolone cold turkey for pain medication?
Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I would not recommend just stopping the prednisone. It is best to decrease the dose by 1/2 every 3-5 days until Nugget is receiving 0.5 mg every other day for at least 3 doses. In the mean time, Nugget might do well with Buprenorphine, another pain medication that is safe to use while decreasing the prednisolone. Please discuss this with Nugget's veterinarian, but do not stop the pred. cold turkey.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Vet Q & A
Safe pain relief for senior cat with joint issues and heart risk?
Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry to hear that Buster is having some aches and pains. A very safe pain medication that we prescribe regularly in cats (and dogs) is called gabapentin. It is a neuropathic pain medication but can be very effective for the treatment of mild to moderate chronic pain, such as that from arthritis or other chronic illness. It is safe on the heart and kidneys; side effects include mild sedation. I recommend asking your veterinarian if he/she can prescribe gabapentin for Buster. There is a liquid form of the medication, which is helpful in cats. I hope this is helpful - best of luck with Buster!
Updated on September 24th, 2025