Megan talks about the affects the steroids have had on her dog.  Of course, when we think of steroids we may think of bulked up athletes who are abusing steroids to get more muscle mass, but there are medical uses for steroids that may make them worth the well publicized side affects that can cause a lot of harm to people or dogs.

She says “How does one recognize a dog on steroids?  The ravenous appetite is a dead give away… so is constant thirst and frequent urination. (Kind of a pain when it comes to dogs)

Then she talks about the signs of a dog that has allergies and may need to use steroids.  Again, I would do some very serious research before taking this route.  The “Outward signs of need for canine steroids are constant scratching from allergies, patches of fur missing from disease (mine has Cushing’s disease) and the like.”

“My dog on steroids – Oscar Mayer – didn’t need an appetite booster to begin with; he can wolf down his meal in under sixty seconds flat and then start looking for his sibling’s bowls! Due to his severe allergies along with his Cushing’s disease he had lost about half his fur from his waist back. How do you balance the need for steroids and their side effects on your dog and your household?”

Then she talks about her efforts to take him off the steroids and some of the related problems.  Either way it is a difficult problem and one that needs to have both options weighed in the balance.

Here is the link to the rest of the story about her dog on steroids:

http://www.examiner.com/x-1513-Philadelphia-Dog-Advocate-Examiner~y2008m10d24-My-Dog-on-Steroids

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However, here are a couple of cautions to be aware of to avoid potential problems.

First, use ceramic or stainless-steel food and water bowls and clean them regularly. Avoid using plastic bowls or containers.

Second, make sure that the water you give your dog is clean and free from contaminants that may end up in your yard, hose, etc.

Third, pay attention to the foods you are giving your dog. Ingredients that are more likely to cause food allergies in dogs are beef, dairy products, chicken, wheat, chicken eggs, corn, and soy. Unfortunately, these items are very common ingredients in dog foods. You may have to switch to a hypoallergenic dog food.

Technorati Tags: dog food allergies, dog food allergy, Dog Food Comparison, Hypoallergenic Dog Food