TABLE 1.

Standardized rapid‐tapering oral prednisone protocol for dogs undergoing brain irradiation.

	During RT	At completion of RT	1 week after RT	2 weeks after RT
Group 1: Dogs not on prednisone before RT (5 fractions or fewer); n = 7 dogs.	Prednisone (approximately 0.5 mg/kg PO) before each day's RT	No prednisone		No prednisone
Group 2: Dogs not on prednisone before RT (6 fractions or greater); n = 0 dogs	Prednisone (approximately 0.5 mg/kg) before each day's RT	Decrease dose by 50% (ie, give approximately 0.25 mg/kg/d) for 1 week	If neurologically stable or improved, give prednisone (approximately 0.25 mg/kg) q48h for 3 doses, then stop
Group 3: Dogs on prednisone for ≤1 month before starting RT; n = 9 dogs	Continue prednisone during RT (by end of RT, try to be at approximately 0.5 mg/kg/d)	Decrease prednisone dose by 50% (to approximately 0.25 mg/kg/d)	If neurologically stable/improved, give prednisone (approximately 0.25 mg/kg) q48h for 3 doses, then stop
Group 4: Dogs on prednisone for >1 month before starting RT; n = 3 dogs	Continue prednisone during RT (by end of RT, try to be at approximately 0.5 mg/kg/d)	Decrease prednisone dose by 50% (to approximately 0.25 mg/kg/d)	Decrease prednisone dose by another 50% (approximately 0.125 mg/kg/d)	If neurologically stable/improved, give prednisone (approximately 0.125 mg/kg) q48h for 3 doses, then stop