The Dog Food Comparison Blog

One of the first things that a vet may do to treat a pet with allergies is use steroids. According to Dr. Michael W. Fox as quoted in the Norman Transcript this can cause more problems than it is solving.

Dr. Fox states: “Steroids make the symptoms go away for a while and give short-term relief for animals who are scratching and chewing themselves raw and bloody. But all too often, when the medication is tapered off, the symptoms reappear, and the animals are put back on corticosteroids. This can mean cystitis and diabetes for cats, and a host of other drug-related health problems for dogs, too — most notably Cushing’s disease.

“This is increasingly common in dogs and is due to the adrenal glands becoming hyperactive as a result of prolonged use of corticosteroid medications. Afflicted dogs may look obese, have thinning coats, experience muscular weakness, become potbellied and increasingly lethargic and show increased thirst and urination. Secondary bacterial infections and poor wound healing are also common consequences.

“My advice to all pet owners is to avoid any long-term steroid treatments when allergies are diagnosed or suspected and to do their best to find out, as you have done, the root cause.”

A much better approach is to find the root cause of the allergy which is most likely pollen, insects, mold, dog food, other animals or people.

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