Corticosteroids are among the most commonly prescribed medications in veterinary medicine. But they are also the most abused and misused. Many pet parents are tired of the serious side effects and are saying, “Enough! There must be a better way!”
Why are they dangerous?
These stress hormones replace what is naturally produced by the adrenal glands, under the control of the pituitary gland. If we give them to our pet, its pituitary gland senses it and its adrenal glands won’t work anymore, thus shutting down the body’s normal production of a vitally important hormone.
Corticosteroids can decrease the ability of wounds to heal while increasing the chance of infection due to immune suppression. They can also actually contribute to the further destruction of arthritic joints by decreasing the collagen, making them a bad choice since they are harming (and preventing the healing or) the exact areas they are given to treat, in the long-term. Other longterm side effects can be diabetes, obesity, pancreatitis, thyroid disease, osteoporosis and adrenal disease. They can also increase appetite and water intake and urine output.
Here are some integrative techniques holistic veterinarians are using to treat your pet without using steroids. :
Antioxidants/Herbs – Used for arthritis, itching, and inflammation: https://www.nuvetlabs.com/order_new2/nuvet-plus-wafers.asp
Fatty Acids/herbal formulas- (for inflammation and skin/coat issues): http://www.lifesabundance.com/Pets/Supplements/DogSkinCoat.aspx?realname=20210230&cat=0&hdr=&Ath=False&Category=DogSkinAndCoat_v11(Pet_Base)
http://www.lifesabundance.com/Pets/Supplements/FishOilDogsCats.aspx?realname=20210230&cat=0&hdr=&Ath=False&Category=FishOilDogsCats_v11(Pet_Base)
Essential oils-https://www.oliaforpets.com/product/digestion-blend/ (for digestive disorders)
https://www.oliaforpets.com/product/joint-formula/ (pain relief and joint pain)
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