Is your dog taking steroids for any conditions such as allergies, immune diseases, inflammation from arthritis, stomach and intestinal inflammation, or a host of other problems for which steroids are given to our pets?
Dangerous Side Effects
Are you aware of the awful side effects these drugs can cause, sometimes turning deadly? The most frequent side effect in dogs is increased thirst. Side effects of anti-inflammatory steroids can be numerous. In dogs and less often in cats, the most commonly seen side effects include an increase in thirst and appetite, followed by an increase in urine production, and possible weight gain.
Glucocorticoid drugs (steroids with the big name) have an effect on the body’s defenses, such that dogs that are taking these medications at higher doses, especially those on longer-term prescriptions can develop infections more easily. This can lead to conditions such as cystitis (bladder infection), whereby bacteria infect the bladder lining, and the irritation resulting from this can lead to an urge to go that can come on suddenly and leave no time to gracefully exit the yard for proper urination.
Other very common side effects of glucocorticoid drugs are panting and weight gain. Less common are side effects on the liver and adrenal glands. The potential for liver and adrenal changes is well-recognized. Sometimes mood alterations can occur. These mood changes may make the dog irritable and sometimes can result in a “nice” dog suddenly snapping at its owners.
Long-term usage of steroids (usually over a period of months), may induce internal changes to the patient’s body, resulting in an over-production of the patient’s cortisol (patient’s own body steroid) production. This condition, known as Cushing’s disease, can necessitate the need for specific treatment. Skin lesions can occur in pets with over-production of cortisol, which can result in hair loss, red, angry, patches of skin that form scabs over time, or result in a thickening of the skin in the affected area.
Some of the more commonly used drugs of this class include Prednisone, Prednisolone, Medrol, Dexamethasone, and Triamcinolone.
Usdi’s Story
We are reminded of the story of Usdi, a beautiful beagle, who lived for only nine years when she should have lived much longer. This unfortunate dog was the victim of the overuse of steroids. Usdi developed skin allergies. She was first taken to the vet with this problem at about age 2. It was a continuing problem for her. And she was routinely given Vetalog – a steroid – over the next 7 years. By the time Usdi had passed the point of no return, she was suffering not only from Diabetes, but breathing difficulties, heart disease, unexplained weight gain, probably kidney and liver failure, and possibly Cushing’s disease.
It is not uncommon for steroids to be given to dogs, and in particular skin, allergies are often treated with steroids. The use of steroids should be questioned. They can, and do, cause a multitude of side effects – including causing Cushing’s Disease in dogs and Diabetes in both humans and dogs. Steroids are occasionally necessary – but never safe. There certainly are situations where steroids have saved lives in cases of acute illness of various types. But they’re given out far, far too readily, for all manner of illnesses.
The Safe All Natural Holistic Alternative
Are you aware that nature has provided a safe and natural alternative in a derivative from the Yucca Plant that serves as a Steroid Alternative for pets?
Why subject your pet to harmful steroids when there is a natural organic alternative? There is an outstanding, safe, all-natural supplement derived from the Yucca plant, which contains steroidal saponins, nature’s most powerful anti-inflammatory agent. Yes, Yucca will promote symptom relief similar to steroid medications with none of the side effects. Reduces pain as well as bute and aspirin without the gastric side effects! This product is a pure concentrated extract, not powdered waste product, and contains 85% bio-available saponins versus 3-7% in other bulk products. For arthritis, bone and joint problems, soft tissue swelling, digestive, and bowel problems, and colic. Tissue swelling reduces blood flow through injured areas which slow recovery; toxins build up and irritate the liver and kidneys. Yucca cleanses these organs and promotes blood flow and tissue repair while preventing further degeneration and injured tissues. Reduces the “itch” of allergies, eliminating the need for steroid drug treatments. May reduce inflammation in the brain area responsible for seizure activity. Use topically for wound and hot spot treatment.
