Skip to content
Previous article
Now Reading:
You should know about one of the most dangerous treatments for dogs

You should know about one of the most dangerous treatments for dogs

How to protect your dog from the harmful side effects of steroids

Just a few days ago, I saw my dentist and was not given very good news.

For more than 10 years I lived with an undiagnosed hairline fracture in my root. My previous dentist didn't see the crack on the X-ray and when I finally realized that I had to get a second opinion, it was too late to save the tooth. My new dentist and I agreed that an implant was the only way to solve the problem. This is where technology and modern medicine excel and holistic medicine have to be put aside.

A few days after I booked my procedure, the dentist's office called me to pick up "Dex." I was puzzled. Is Dex what I think it is? As a veterinarian, I know that the word "Dex" is not a dog’s name, but the short name for dexamethasone, one of the most potent and potentially harmful steroid hormones.

"ARE YOU SURE?" I tried to make sure that this was not an error. "Oh yes, this is a routine part of the procedure to reduce the swelling" the receptionist replied, as if she was telling me that carrots were a good source of vitamin A. 

I was bewildered. My dentist wanted to prescribe dexamethasone, one of the most powerful corticosteroid hormones. I knew that based on the essential medical principles, steroids should not be routinely prescribed when one's main objectives is good healing and reducing the risk of infections, but I felt awkward and said nothing.

I declined the prescription and decided to write this blog instead because steroids are greatly overused and cause serious side-effects. 

What is a vicious steroid spiral?

On the surface, steroids can be seen as a miracle drug for your dog. When your dog is itchy and you give him/her only a few doses, the symptoms go away and the doctor is a hero! Except, in most chronic conditions, the problem comes back with a vengeance and the dose of steroids needs to be increased until they stop working all together or cause serious side effects.

It is not a vicious cycle, but a vicious downward spiral.

When you give your dog steroids, they suppress inflammation and tissue swelling for a hefty price. I call them the “high-interest credit cards" of medicine because they suppress healthy immune response and healing. This immune function inhibition also reduces the body's ability to fight off pathogens and infections.

The body's adrenal glands release small amounts corticosteroids in threatening and challenging situations. However, my observation is that giving corticosteroids as drugs makes any longterm recovery 10 times harder.

A good analogy could be made with scratching a vinyl record. The record player plays it beautifully, but if it is scratched, the needle starts skipping and the same song section of the song plays over and over. 

Why do doctors use such treatment?

When I graduated from vet school, we were trained to see symptoms as the main problem.  Even the names of the meds confirm this. Anti-inflammatory, antacid, antibiotic...the list of "anti" drugs could go on.

We were not taught that inflammation is a natural part of the acute healing process, and that it brings increased blood supply to tissues, nudges us to slow down and rest, and activates the immune systems. In summary, acute (not chronic) inflammation helps the body to heal faster.

When this part of the healing process is suppressed, the health problem reoccurs and repeated suppression leads to the condition becoming chronic.

This is not to say we should not address inflammation in your dog, but I am suggesting that it must be done by working with the body and not against it. 

Inflammation is a warning sign there is a problem

It can be seen as the "caring neighbour" that comes to wake you up if your house caught on fire. The steroids can be compared to someone telling you to go back to sleep while your house is burning down around you.

In other words, steroids are the sleeping pill for the immune system that should protect your dog from chronic disease, organ failure, and serious damage. 

Two common areas where steroids are commonly used for dogs   

The most common conditions that I see steroids being used for in dogs are skin and ear problems. 

You may now be asking why these drugs are used so often when they cause multiple side-effects?

I have been in practice for long enough to know that chronic skin and ear problems are some of the most challenging conditions in dogs. They are usually treated locally with the focus on reducing inflammation and redness without addressing the underlying causes.

Have you ever heard that skin problems and hotspots are often related to back injuries? 

Or, how many dog lovers are aware that ear problems may be related to excessive chewing or collar injuries and toxin build up? This is often missed.

The reason why skin and ear problems often end up being serious, painful and long term is that the medication that blocks the body's natural healing responses is the mainstay of most treatment protocols.

What is Herring's law of cure

Perhaps for a moment, you thought that I would be writing about herrings, but I have something more important to share with you.

Dr. Herring was a medical doctor who discovered that every time a medical condition is suppressed with surgery or strong drugs, the body has a general tendency to slide into a deeper state of imbalance and more serious disease.

However, if you support the body by applying what I call the healing cycle, in most cases, the body heals quickly and efficiently. 

This is why even common treatments such as antihistamines or asthma puffers can cause serious damage. 

One condition where steroids may be indicated

It may surprise you that after me giving you so much info against steroids, there is one and only one condition where I would use them in dogs, and it is Addison's disease. This condition is characterized by a partial or a complete absence of natural steroid hormones due to abnormal adrenal gland function. 

Even a short-term steroid treatment can cause long-term harm and side effects in your dog

Perhaps you now may be asking, what is the solution when a dog has sore ears and itchy skin and needs help? Wouldn't it be okay to give just a short course of medication and then work on the other parts?

The answer is NO.  This is the most common case scenario I see. It would be very rare for a dog to die of a skin or ear condition, but there are, in my opinion, many dogs that lose years of life unnecessarily because they were suppressed with drugs. 

Are antibiotics OK?

While I would be hard pressed to use any steroids or anti-inflammatories in treating dogs, I consider the odd antibiotic use necessary. It is important to acknowledge their toxicity, but generally, they act more as a crutch. Antibiotics are generally overused, but at times can be life-saving.

A few final words about steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs for dogs

Learning a holistic approach to medicine is not an overnight task, nor is a treating condition that has been present for months and years. 

However, following the above-mentioned principles has been a cornerstone for me to keep your dog healthy and living well into their teens and perhaps even beyond.

If you are interested in receiving more information on holistic care for dogs, Subscribe to further updates and e-learning.

Additional reading:

Hot Spots - Diagnosis and Treatment the natural way

Why are skin allergies in dogs often misdiagnosed 

Holistic approach to ear problems

© Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM

 

 

Health & Longevity Course Chapters

To read the entire Holistic Health and Longevity Course for Dogs click the links below:

About the author

Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM is an Integrative veterinarian, nutritionist and creator of natural supplements for dogs and people. Helping you and your dog prevent disease, treat nutritional deficiencies, and enjoy happier, healthier, and longer lives together.

Most Popular

  • Flying with dogs
    In my article, I share the personal story of how I'm able to fly with my dog, Pax, thanks to overcoming challenges with sleepwalking and night terrors. This unique experience not only allowed me to travel with my service dog but also serves as a reminder that even difficult situations can have positive outcomes.
  • dog and pony
    Successful communication is essential for building healthier and more fulfilling relationships and happier lives. In this article, I'll share with you 8 communication hacks to help you avoid unnecessary drama, prioritize active listening and address conflicts effectively.
  • Dalmatian eating fruit
    Can dogs eat bananas, apples, strawberries and other fruit? What about grapes? Find out what fruits are safe, toxic, and healthy for dogs. Learn about the potential health benefits and risks of feeding fruit to your canine companion, and get tips on the ideal time to feed it.
  • Illustration of the anatomy of a heart
    As dog lovers, we all want our beloved pups to live long and healthy lives. Protecting your dog's heart from potential health issues is important, and in this blog Dr. Dobias shares some key points that you might not yet be aware of, read on to find out what you can do to keep your dog's heart safe. 

Dog Health

  • Husky lying on blanket with heart toy
    Dogs have our hearts and that is why we need to protect their heart. Dog’s as they age often face muscle problems and spinal misalignment and you might be surprised to know how that can hurt their heart. Learn how to protect your dog’s spine and by extension their heart.
  • The secret ingredient for a perfect No. 2
    Dogs and humans have evolved side-by-side but they are still quite different when it comes to their digestive tracts and dietary habits. We have studied their original environments such as the soils of the African savanna and consulted with top experts in the field of probiotics and microbiology to come up with a combination that reflects healthy bacterial flora of canines.
  • Man being pointed at
    Criticism can hurt a brand, but constructive feedback can help it grow. In this blog Dr. Dobias talks about the differences between these approaches, and how to handle the power of influence and opinion with care. 
  • Broccoli with vitamins and minerals
    Are you worried that your and your dog's diet is missing something? Maybe you're worried about toxin levels in food, the environment, or flea and tick products. Let's face it; we can't remove ourselves entirely from our toxin-filled world, but we can do things to reduce our exposure to harmful substances. 

Human health

  • Dr. Dobias with Pax
    How do you navigate the seas of life? How do you deal with disappointment? Whatever life throws at us, we can always rely on our dogs to bring joy into our days. In this blog I share my thoughts on the support our dogs provide during the difficult moments in life. 
  • Why 1 in 4 Americans suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
    Learn more about the alarming prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) affecting 1 in 4 Americans. Discover its main risk factors, diagnosis methods, and treatment options to better manage or prevent this silent yet severe condition. 
  • A new perspective on brain health, memory loss, Alzheimer's Disease, and dementia in people and dogs
    The Science of DHA and the Brain: Omega-3 fatty acids, primarily DHA, are the unsung heroes of brain health. They play crucial roles in brain physiology and biological activities, with exciting links between Omega-3 levels and cognitive function. Higher DHA levels have been shown to preserve the integrity of the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB), your brain's security system
  • Dr. Dobias and Pax
    It appears that most of the world is ready for change, but whenever I think about the solutions to any of the problems that plague our world, I can’t prevent myself from thinking that we humans are acting like little toddlers who have broken a toy and do not know how to fix it. Despite my generally optimistic attitude, I have had a hard time staying positive at times because I know how complex this all is. Read here for some tools that make me feel good about the world, which I would like to share with you.

News, stories and good life

  • Dr. Peter Dobias with his dog Pax on his lap
    Do you have trouble staying positive during difficult times? These days we are surrounded by a lot of negative messaging, and it's easy to let that get you down. Here are some of my tips for remaining positive, and don't forget to share your tips with me!
  • Man raising fist on a mountain
    Most of us have been exposed to panic-inducing information about the virus spread, however, I have noticed the general absence of one piece of information, how to make your immune system stronger and body more resilient. (It will definitely not happen by stockpiling toilet paper!) I have always loved immunology and the current situation has prompted me to put together two simple lists on how to increase your dog’s and your own immunity.
  • Man with dog wearing a collar
    Does your dog have ear problems, nasal or oral tumors, reverse sneezing or an  itchy head or hair loss on their head? Learn how you can address some of these problems and save thousands in vet care costs.
  • Terrier eating raw food
    Now there is no need to guess if there is something missing in your dogs diet.  The HairQ Test is a highly accurate test for mineral deficiencies, toxins and heavy metals in dogs to finely tune your dog’s diet and supplement schedule.

By clicking "Continue" or continuing to use our site, you acknowledge that you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. We also use cookies to provide you with the best possible experience on our website. You can find out more about the cookies we use and learn how to manage them here. Feel free to check out our policies anytime for more information.

Continue

Cart

Close

Your cart is currently empty.

Start Shopping
Close