Veterinary supervision is important to ensure that the minimum effective corticosteroid dosage is used to reduce side effects.
Short term side effects as a result of allergy treatment with corticosteroids include:
- Increased fluid intake and output
- Increased appetite
- Panting
- Lethargy
- Worsening of skin infections and other bacterial infections if present due to immune system compromise
- Nausea, vomiting
Long term side effects that may occur if corticosteroids are used for several weeks or a few months include:
- Suppression of urinary tract infection symptoms resulting in a UTI going undiagnosed
- Development of thin skin, plaques on the skin, or loss of hair coat, demodectic mange
- Obesity from increased appetite
- Muscle weakness due to metabolic breakdown of muscle tissue
- Inability to heal, chronic sores may result
- Immune system suppression resulting in susceptibility to bacterial infection and other disease
- Cushing's disease
- Prediabetic dogs may experience onset of diabetic symptoms.
- Inhibited growth in young dogs
- Ulcers in the digestive tract
- Fluid retention
- Kidney problems
- Hypertension
- Changes in behavior, irritability, aggression, depression, anxiety
If side effects occur they can be mitigated by lowered dosage, discontinuance or by finding an alternative steroid or treatment. Daily use of corticosteroids is usually only necessary in the early phase of the allergic reaction, and can be tapered off to reduce side effects after initial treatment. Make sure you seek veterinary advice during treatment to adjust dosage and discontinue if no longer necessary. Also, alternative corticosteroids or allergy treatments may be available to address symptoms and reduce side effects.
Certain medical conditions will result in side effects being more dangerous, and steroid treatment for allergy treatment in these dogs is not advised. Conditions such as diabetes, presence of organ compromise, fungal infection, pregnancy, or lactation may contraindicate steroidal therapy.
It should also be noted that prednisone and other corticosteroids may have interactions with other medications and veterinary advice to ensure that this does not occur should be obtained prior to corticosteroid treatment for allergies.