Corticosteroids are drugs that mimic the actions of cortisol, a natural hormone released by the adrenal glands. Commonly used steroids include hydrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone, betamethasone, and triamcinolone. Steroids have many effects, but are primarily used in veterinary medicine for their anti-inflammatory effects. The following is a list of some of the common uses for steroids in veterinary medicine.
* Addison's disease - this is a failure of the adrenal glands to produce sufficient quantities of cortisol, so supplementation is required.
* Uveitis - inflammation inside the eye can be very painful, and steroids may decrease this inflammation significantly. Steroids may not be used, however, if there is a corneal ulcer.
* Head/spinal trauma, disk disease - decreases inflammation that may cause permanent damage to tissue in the nervous system.
* Autoimmune diseases - these are a spectrum of diseases in which the immune system attacks cells in its own body. These include skin diseases (e.g. pemphigus), blood diseases (immune-mediated attacks on red blood cells and/or platelets), rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus (a disease which affects numerous tissues in the body). Steroids work here through their ability to suppress certain parts of the immune system.
* Otitis externa - inflammation or infection of the outer ear canal (outside of ear to the eardrum). Steroids in combination with antifungals and antibiotics are often used, as decreasing the inflammation of the canal with steroids will allow the other drugs to reach the infection.
* Lymphoma - this is a cancer involving a specific type of white blood cell, which steroids may cause to burst and die. Usually used in conjunction with other chemotherapy drugs.
* Inflammatory bowel disease - this disease may cause chronic vomiting and/or diarrhea, and is caused by an inappropriate response of white blood cells. Steroids also work here through their immune-suppressive effects.
* Eosinophilic complexes of cats - various skin lesions of cats of unknown cause. Steroids are often beneficial in treatment.
* Addison's disease - this is a failure of the adrenal glands to produce sufficient quantities of cortisol, so supplementation is required.
* Uveitis - inflammation inside the eye can be very painful, and steroids may decrease this inflammation significantly. Steroids may not be used, however, if there is a corneal ulcer.
* Head/spinal trauma, disk disease - decreases inflammation that may cause permanent damage to tissue in the nervous system.
* Autoimmune diseases - these are a spectrum of diseases in which the immune system attacks cells in its own body. These include skin diseases (e.g. pemphigus), blood diseases (immune-mediated attacks on red blood cells and/or platelets), rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus (a disease which affects numerous tissues in the body). Steroids work here through their ability to suppress certain parts of the immune system.
* Otitis externa - inflammation or infection of the outer ear canal (outside of ear to the eardrum). Steroids in combination with antifungals and antibiotics are often used, as decreasing the inflammation of the canal with steroids will allow the other drugs to reach the infection.
* Lymphoma - this is a cancer involving a specific type of white blood cell, which steroids may cause to burst and die. Usually used in conjunction with other chemotherapy drugs.
* Inflammatory bowel disease - this disease may cause chronic vomiting and/or diarrhea, and is caused by an inappropriate response of white blood cells. Steroids also work here through their immune-suppressive effects.
* Eosinophilic complexes of cats - various skin lesions of cats of unknown cause. Steroids are often beneficial in treatment.
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