Pets on Steroidsby Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger 27 Mar 2009 10:35 AM Last week, I took my dog Lally to the vet for help with a major allergy attack. She had been itching her face so badly that the hair around her eyes was gone and the skin was raw. Benadryl alone wasn't doing enough to relieve the itching, so the vet brought out the big guns: steroids. Steroids are very useful for reducing inflammation, and they've really helped Lally with her allergy attack. Almost immediately she stopped scratching at her face and ears! She's got a ten day course of prednisone, and the vet told me to keep up with the Benadryl. I've also got gel for her itchy ears and ointment for hot spots (just in case). I've been joking that Lally has "roid rage" -- she's definitely on a shorter fuse with my other dog, Moose. She's been guarding my bed, the office, the couch in the living room... poor Moose can't get a break. As it turns out, mood/behavior changes CAN be a side effect of taking steroids. This side effect is more often seen in dogs than in cats, and it's certainly not the most common side effect. But I have to wonder if Lally's bad attitude lately isn't due at least in part to the medication? She's only got a few days left on the prescription, and to be honest, I'd rather have her cranky and NOT ripping her face apart than itching herself bloody. When we have our re-check with the doctor, I'll be sure to ask about the mood change. For the record, side effects of short-term steroid use in pets can include:
The drinking and peeping combo is the most common side effect. Even on very low doses of steroids, pets can exhibit these side effects. (Lally is definitely drinking more than usual, too.) Learn more about Aimee Amodio  Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover... Relevantpets tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags itching, inflammation, Lally, roid rage, steroids Discuss this article
|
Pets categories |
