A synthetic corticosteroid. Corticosteroids have a long list of side-effects some of which are serious. They make an animal drink more, eat more, there can be thinning of the skin. They may cause hyperglycaemia and decrease thyroid hormone production. They may slow healing. They may cause ulceration and bleeding in the bowel. Long term use may induce Cushingʼs disease. We do not wish to minimise or understate in any way the dangers of corticosteroids but we would like to say that in certain circumstances steroids are life saving and their judicious use helps calm things down in all sorts of disease situations. Used carefully they are very useful drugs. Do not be frightened of them.
If your pet is put on steroids for any length of time the important thing to remember is do not stop them abruptly - slow down on the dose gently over a few days and things will be fine.
