Steroid Side Effects????????????

[dachsiegrrl]

My dog has been on steroid shots, and has shown slight improvement. But I'm concerned about the steroids, are there any side effects???

[sillysadie]

Oscar lost control of his bladder and wet his cage often. I lined his bed with newspaper and a towel and changed it often. A few days after the steroids he regained full control of his bladder.

[sillysadie]

BTW I can't stress how important is to keep her in a crate. The inflammation has to go down in order for her to get better. I know it is tough to get "the look" but it is so important to keep her crated.

[Penny's Aunt]

The immediate effects are increased appetite & thirst (thus the increased urination). Side effect of a more serious nature happen, but not as much as with people.

Long-term side (many months or years) effects: damage to certain glands, resulting in severe hair loss, thin skin, etc.

Most short-term benefits outweigh the side effects, esp in cases like this.

Cage rest is imperative for back problems. The more rest, the better.

Once the immediate problem is solved, get the dog on a good exercise program. If the dog is overweight, get rid of the excess. Lean dachshunds with good firm muscles have fewer back problems than chubby couch potatoes. Discourage jumping on & off furniture; training & ramps are helpful.

[Nisehart]

Once you learn the side effects of steriod use, the question to then ask yourself is...

Do the benefits outweigh the risks?

Although I am a registered nurse, I am sure this approach is the same in many cases for animals as for humans.

I will keep your baby girl in my thoughts!

Denise

[dachsie_grrl]

Thankyou all very much, you've been very helpfull. I do not feel that I need to crate my dog, I think she knows shes hurt and she doesn't walk at all except the three feet to the food and water bowl. And those three feet prevent her legs from going week on her. As for the excercise routine, before this, there wasn't an ounce of fat on her and I'm sure once shes recovered she'll be eager to get back on the move.

[Penny's Aunt]

If she was slim & well-muscled, it may be the reason why she didn't go down completely.

[wireweiners]

She may be only walking to her food and water bowl now, but as the steriods take effect and she starts to feeling better she will start moving around more. She may feel better but it is still imperative that she be kept still to prevent further injury.

[georgette]

<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm18.gif" border=0>
Dan just had cortisone last week for his back and is immensely improved. We ARE having a tough time keeping him quiet. As a matter of fact, last night when let outside to do his potty - I don't know how but - he nabbed a large rabbit. I'm not talking bunny. He WOULD NOT drop it. Eventually (it was dark outside) we had to resort to the hose - of course he ran under the deck. What an escapade.
Anyway my question is this: Are the side effects fairly inevitable or only occasional. How will I know?
Thanks, Georgette<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm18.gif" border=0>


<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by georgette (edited August 14, 2000).]</font>

[Penny's Aunt]

For a minute there I thought you were talking about your husband, & wondered why he didn't use the bathroom like everyone else. I really started to wonder when you said he caught a rabbit (she doesn't let him use the bathroom, & she doesn't feed him, either), before I realized that that wasn't what you meant...

The side effects affect dogs differently: some show no difference, most show some increase in thirst & hunger, few show any other reactions with short-term use.

<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by Penny's Aunt (edited August 14, 2000).]</font>

[georgette]

<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm36.gif" border=0> Ya mean you're supposed to let men use the bathroom in the house? Maybe that's why my relationships have been faltering<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm18.gif" border=0>