Do corticosteroids cause side-effects in cats?
Corticosteroids are notorious for causing a variety of side-effects in humans. However, this is rarely the case in cats. Regardless, to minimize any possible adverse effects, our goal is to use the lowest dose that is effective and to give it on an every other day schedule. It will be necessary to begin therapy with a rather high dose, but once response occurs, the dose is tapered to a minimal level. Why are they given every other day? Prednisolone, the most commonly used corticosteroid, is in the body about 36 hours after it is given by mouth. If it is given daily, some of the previous days dose is still present. The adrenal glands produce corticosteroids for the body. If a prolonged level of prednisolone is in the body, the adrenal glands receive a message telling them to stop production. This will affect the production of corticosteroids and other important substances. By giving prednisolone every other day, the last dose is out of the body for about 12 hours before the next dose is
