Cat Chat Feline Forum

Hello,
I have a 10 year old cat named Lily and he has been struggling to walk for almost a year. I’ve gone to couple vets to find the answer and the closest was that he may have a nerve issue most likely in the spine. A couple weeks ago he stopped eating and drinking. His hind legs are facing outwards and he can’t run or jump. I put him on steroid medication from the vet and he started getting better. I’m currently towards the end of the steroid meds and my vet said after the 14th day I can stop giving him steroids but I was wary of that since usually there’s a tapering process. I would like to know if anybody knows if it’s okay to stop steroid medication after a couple weeks and if not how does the tapering process go. My vet did say it’s okay to stop but I’m not sure. Lily gets a 5mg dosage every 24 hours for 2 weeks. The steroids did help his legs but not completely and I am considering seeing a specialist although I’m not sure how much they could do with nerve issues. I was recommended Assisi Loop from a friend, which is a device that you can use at home to reduce pain/inflammation for cats, but I wanted to see if anybody here knows or has used it and if it works.

I'm sorry to hear this, but you are right to be concerned about just stopping steroids, I've not had any for a while, but am sure after 3 days of full dose I had to taper it down. Can you get a second opinion?

Mine is on steroids probably for life now, we are in the process of finding the minimum effective dose. My understanding is they should be weaned off and never stopped suddenly though it may be different for a short term course, I don't know. Second opinion sounds like a good plan, maybe just ring and ask to speak to another vet at your practice?

Update: I called my vet and spoke with her and she said the tapering process is taking 1 dose every other day for 5 doses. She did say that if my cat’s symptoms return then he will have to be on steroids long term.

That sounds a much more sensible approach, hope he is fine without them.