Steroid Medications & Depression in Dogs
Steroid medications can be used to treat canine illnesses. However, steroid medications can cause side effects, such as an increase in thirst and appetite. Steroid medications can also lead to secondary illnesses, like dog depression.
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Steroid Medications
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There are two types of steroids; anti-inflammatory and anabolic. Dog steroid medications use anti-inflammatory steroids. Canine illnesses these steroid medications treat include brain swelling and intestinal inflammation.
Triggering Depression
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A possible side effect of steroid medications is mood changes. Mood changes can trigger dog depression.
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Symptoms
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Symptoms of dog depression include a lack of appetite, no interest in playing with other dogs or humans, abnormal activity, increased shedding, and aggressiveness.
Treatment
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You should ask your veterinarian about alternatives to steroid medications if the drugs are causing dog depression. If there are no alternatives, anti-depressants (like Valium) can be used to treat the dog depression.
Other Secondary Conditions
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In addition to dog depression, steroid medications can cause secondary canine illnesses like Addison's disease and diabetes mellitus.
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