Steroids are often prescribed for dogs. Sometimes this is unavoidable and in the best interest of the pet. Other times it’s not, according to various holistic animal experts.
Unfortunately, you need to be a good animal care consumer. My husband and I learned this the hard way, shortly after we were married. Our kitten had asthma. Our vet would probably have given him prednisone shots forever, if a more ethical vet tech didn’t warn us against this. This was before I learned that alternative medicine is often much safer, and much more effective, than convention care.
Some of the common reasons these drugs are used include digestive issues, caused by inflammation. Skin diseases are another common reason steroids are given to dogs.
More natural options exist, including a soothing plant-based healing cream designed by a natural animal care expert.
Why Steroids are Used on Dogs
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Oftentimes, steroids will be recommended to ease the pain of arthritis. The idea behind this treatment is to reduce inflammation, and make a pet more comfortable. But the side effects can be a killer, literally. Long-term use can suppress the immune system. This leaves your dog open to infections and potentially even cancer.
Please understand that I’m not an animal healthcare expert, so everything you read here is for discussion and informational purposes only. I’m simply a dog Mom who likes natural remedies. I urge you to work with your own vet to resolve your dog’s medical issues.
Side Effects of Dog Steroids
If a dog is leaning in the direction of developing diabetes, these drugs can give him the final push. This is one of the very well-known side effects of steroid use.
These are powerful drugs that can cause behavioral changes, including increased aggressiveness.
Prednisone for Dogs Alternatives
If your dog is on steroids, there might be a legitimate reason. But, if not, and you want a more natural approach, it’s important to work with your vet to taper him off these drugs. Sudden withdrawal can be very dangerous.
If your vet refuses to discuss holistic remedies, and your dog’s situation is not life threatening, you might have better luck with an alternative vet. If you don’t know of anyone in your area, perhaps someone at your local health food store can send you in the right direction.
Hot spots are caused by inflammation, and steroids are often the “go-to” remedy among conventional vets. But, perhaps, getting to the root of this problem, and removing the potential triggers, will calm the itching and redness.
The goal is to eliminate the cause, in order to avoid long-term steroid use (or even short term), as these drugs have potentially serious side effects. Many holistic vets believe they’re very over prescribed.
Natural Remedies for Dog Hot Spots
Because of the increased demand for better pet care, a number of excellent holistic dog products have come onto the market.
One of them is designed especially for hot spots and other forms of canine skin irritation. Dr. Harvey’s Organic Healing Cream is made from nearly a dozen medicinal herbs, including organic shea butter, aloe vera, calendula, goldenseal, chamomile, comfrey, bee propolis, stillingia, thyme, tea tree and rosemary. It was developed by an animal nutritionist named Dr. Harvey Cohen.
Dr. Harvey’s Organic Healing Cream
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