Steroid Therapy for dogs and cats

Different doses and regimes of steroid use are required to treat different conditions. This category of steroids for dogs is prescribed for respiratory conditions. They are administered through the use of a nebulizer or an inhaler and this allows the steroids to head straight to the target area, reducing the risk of side effects. Anticoagulant medicines are medications that make the blood less sticky.

After a few weeks, their steroid doses can start to be reduced, and this reduction can continue over the following five to seven months. Providing your dog doesn’t have a relapse during this time, their treatment can stop and they can resume a normal life with no lasting effects. Common dose-dependent side effects of steroids include increased thirst and hunger (consequently urination and weight gain), lethargy, panting, and increased risk of infections (respiratory, urinary etc). If your dog or cat has been prescribed steroids you might be wondering what they are and what they do.

How are steroids administered to dogs?

Despite the side-effects that may be caused by steroid use, your vet will try to ensure that these won’t occur by using the lowest dose that is effective for treating your pet’s condition. However, if you do notice any of the symptoms outlined above or notice a difference in your dog’s sporttechsummitgcc behaviour as a result of the administration of steroids, then make sure to note them down and let your vet know as soon as possible. More than any other drug, the concentration of anti-epileptic drug in the blood is more important to consider than the quantity of tablet given.

• If the dog receiving epilepsy treatment is already on Phenobarbitone and Bromide, Gabapentin and Levetiracetam are two newer human anti-epileptic drugs that can be added to the treatment.
• Corticosteroids often produce side effects such as increased thirst and hunger which manifests as urinating more often and gaining weight.
• Relapses of SRMA are possible either during the course of treatment or after treatment has been stopped.
• Some animals seem to experience minimal side effects and often the higher the dose and the longer the animal is on medication, the more likely you are to experience some side effects.
• Systemically administered corticosteroids may cause polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia, particularly during the early stages of therapy.

This concentration determines not only the good effect (also known as therapeutic effects) but also the toxic and inefficient effects. Blood concentrations of Phenobarbitone and Bromide should be monitored to ensure that they remain within a certain range of concentration known as the therapeutic range. Corticosteroids, often known as steroids, are an anti-inflammatory medicine.

What is Cushing’s Disease?

They’re often prescribed to people with a history of blood clots or an increased risk of developing them. For most people, steroid inhalers and steroid injections shouldn’t cause any bad side effects. Steroid tablets are generally prescribed with more caution, as these may cause more problems.

Is SRMA treatable?

There is no infection with this condition and the condition is not contagious. The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists is an organization of veterinarians who have had years of training, education and certification in animal behavior. If you have any queries or concerns about the use of steroids in your pet, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Normally with a ‘step-back’ in the treatment regime a relapse can be successfully treated. Rarely animals with SRMA can have inflammation of other inner body surfaces, like the covering of the heart (potentially causing abnormal heart rhythm), lungs and abdominal contents (causing the development of some fluid). Most of the time, we’ll use a combination of clinical signs and one or more of these tests to make a firm diagnosis of Cushing’s.

Companion Animal

When handling your pet’s medication, it is best to wear gloves, or ensure you wash your hands thoroughly to avoid any absorption of the drug yourself. Medications should be stored in cool place out of reach of children. Steroids have a wide range of effects, and can be used for a broad spectrum of diseases, ranging from the minor to serious life-threatening problems.

The degree of side effects tends to be related to the dose used, but some individuals are more susceptible to side effects than others. Steroids are hormones which are naturally found in the body and which are produced by small organs in the tummy (abdomen) called the adrenal glands. Steroids, such as cortisone, have a huge number of functions in all the cells of the body – they are required for life. In addition to being naturally produced in the body, steroids can be used as a medicine for many conditions.