About Your Pet - The value of steroids
Published in the Home News Tribune 12/01/03
Q. My veterinarian wants to treat my pet with steroids but I have
heard bad things about these drugs and I'm reluctant to administer
the pills. What exactly are steroids and what are the consequences of
treatment?
A. Steroids can be natural -- the glucocorticords and
mineralocorticoids produced in the adrenal glands which are necessary
for normal bodily functions. Parenteral steroids are those
administered by your veterinarian and are either anti-inflammatory or
anabolic. Anti-inflammatory steroids are used to treat many disorders
or symptoms of disease. These are probably the type being recommended
by your veterinarian. Given at the proper dosage and according to the
directions, they can be a beneficial part of therapy. Anabolic
steroids are used less frequently and are used for treating muscle
wasting, weakness, and weight loss. These are the type abused by
weight lifter and sports figures and can cause liver and heart damage.
In the case of long-term use, (9 months to years), inappropriate
dosing, or undiagnosed pre-existing disease, steroids can cause
damage to the liver, kidneys, or adrenal glands. In the face of long-
term usage, many veterinarians will recommend periodic blood testing.
Some individual pets may be overly sensitive to steroids. Increased
urination and thirst and an increased appetite and occasional behavior
changes might be noticed while your pet is being treated with
steroids.
Notify your veterinarian if you notice any of these signs in your pet.
This column addresses new developments in animal care as well as
issues that New Jersey veterinarians encounter in their practices.
The information is prepared as a public service by the New Jersey
Veterinary Medical Association. For more information, visit
http://www.njvma.org. Questions may be submitted to All Things Animal, 66
Morris Ave., Suite 2A, Springfield, NJ 07081.
http://www.thnt.com/thnt/story/0,21282,863151,00.html
Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Dec 1, 2003