What are the risks of long-term steroid use for atopic dogs?
Some common side effects include excessive urination, thirst and overeating. When given for long periods of time, steroids can affect vital organs, leading to problems such as Cushing’s syndrome, muscle breakdown, compromised kidney function and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Because of these side effects, many pet owners want to avoid giving steroids to their dogs. In a recent survey of veterinarians, they stated that 11 percent of their clients refused to give steroids to their dogs and 24 percent requested steroid use be minimized.
