Steroids for Dogs: Types & Side Effects

Steroids are naturally occurring hormones that can also be synthesized in labs for medicinal purposes. There are a range of different steroids that veterinarians may prescribe to your dog, each with their own purposes and potential side effects.

Curious about steroids for dogs? Read on to learn all about different types of steroids, how they work, and what you can expect if they’ve been prescribed to your dog.

• What are Steroids?
• Types of Steroids for Dogs
• Side Effects of Steroids
• FAQs
• Final Notes

What are Steroids?

In the most general sense, steroids are fats with a specific chemical structure. These compounds occur naturally in humans and animals, but they can also be produced in a laboratory. There are many different types of steroids; each with a different purpose.

The most common type of steroids for dogs are adrenal steroids, also known as corticosteroids. These are prescription medications that are used to treat inflammation in your body. These drugs work by mimicking cortisol, an anti-inflammatory hormone that is naturally produced by humans and dogs alike.¹

When used at low dosages, adrenal steroids can help manage inflammation. At high dosages, steroids can suppress the immune system altogether. These steroids can be used to treat a range of conditions in dogs, including but not limited to: ²

• Immune disorders
• Inflammation
• Eye conditions
• Skin conditions

Other types of steroids for dogs serve other purposes, including anabolic steroids, sex hormones, and more. While less common, all may be used in veterinary care.

Types of Steroids for Dogs

There are seven types of steroids for dogs that are commonly used in veterinary medicine, each with different uses, effects, and side effects. Depending on your dog’s condition, health concerns, and more, a vet may prescribe a different formulation. Read on to know how your dog’s steroid works and what you should be aware of.

Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids are a common adrenal steroid used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system.³ They’re by far the most effective and most commonly used anti-inflammatory in dogs. Glucocorticoids may be used to treat: ⁴

• Excessively itchy skin
• Respiratory allergies
• Flea allergy dermatitis
• Chronic allergic bronchitis
• Cancer treatment

However, their efficacy comes at a cost. Because they have such broad effects, their use can come with a range of side effects. In the short term, side effects of glucocorticoid steroids for dogs include: ³

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weight gain or loss
• Excessive urination
• Excessive thirst
• Behavioral issues
• Increased likelihood of infection due to immune suppression

In the long term (typically 2 weeks and longer), use of this steroid for dogs may cause: ⁴

• Cushing’s disease: a condition caused by elevated levels of cortisol and causes thin or fragile skin, hair loss, and a pot-bellied appearance
• Diabetes mellitus: a form of diabetes that is characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose and an inability to use it as an energy source
• Urinary tract infections
• Weakened joints

Commonly prescribed formulations of this steroid for dogs include: ⁵

• Prednisone or Prednisolone
• Methylprednisolone
• Dexamethasone
• Methylprednisolone Acetate
• Triamcinolone

Mineralocorticoids

Mineralocorticoids, also known as aldosterone, are another type of adrenal steroid that increases electrolyte and fluid retention as well as potassium secretion. A dog’s body naturally produces these to maintain proper levels of electrolytes. Mineralocorticoids are useful in promoting wound healing after injury.⁴

Mineralocorticoids are also used to treat a rare disease in dogs known as Addison’s disease. This is a hormonal disorder that occurs when dogs lack proper levels of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids. Addison’s disease can lead to a host of symptoms, including:

• Depression
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Diarrhea
• Increased urination and thirst
• Irregular heart rate
• Hypoglycemia
• Abdominal pain

To treat Addison’s disease, veterinarians commonly prescribe both glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Though synthetic, these steroids for dogs can be absorbed by their systems and used as if they were naturally occurring.⁴

Side effects of this steroid for dogs may include:

• Excessive thirst, appetite, or urination
• Weight gain
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Lethargy
• Changes in behavior

In some cases, the use of aldosterone may cause a dog’s system to attempt wound healing when there is no wound to be healed. This may result in heart remodeling and fibrosis. In these cases, an antialdosterone like spironolactone may be prescribed.

Common types of mineralocorticoid steroids for dogs include:

• Percorten
• Zyvortal

Adrenal Cortical Steroids

Another cortical steroid is adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), a hormone that’s naturally produced by a dog’s pituitary gland. This hormone tells your dog’s adrenal glands that it’s time to start producing cortisol, a hormone that helps dogs fight infections.

In dogs where Addison’s disease or Cushing’s syndrome is suspected, an ACTH stimulation test is performed. During this test, a dog is injected with ACTH to test whether their adrenal glands are functioning normally. If they aren’t, it’s possible that Addison’s disease or Cushing’s syndrome is present.

Side effects aren’t a significant concern with ACTH, as the steroid is not given long-term.

Anabolic Steroids

If the word “steroid” conjures up images of overly muscular bodybuilders and olympic scandals, you’re thinking of a type of steroid known as an anabolic steroid. These are derived from testosterone and used to promote muscle growth in dogs.

Don’t worry: veterinarians aren’t using anabolic steroids to develop beefy, bodybuilder dogs. These steroids are used in rare cases to treat:

• Significant muscle deterioration as a result of a disease or condition
• Lack of appetite and weight loss associated with surgery, illness, or age

There are serious side effects of these steroids for dogs, including:

• Abnormal sexual behavior in females
• Increased sexual behavior in males
• Testicular atrophy or lack of sperm in dogs who aren’t neutered
• Sodium and water retention
• Jaundice
• Stunted growth
• Birth defects

Because anabolic steroids can be misused to improve performance among racing dogs, these formulas are quite challenging to get ahold of and are used sparingly.⁶

Estrogens

Estrogen plays a significant role in reproduction and sexual organs in female dogs. It also can have effects on calcium levels, bone formation, and more.

Lab-made estrogens are another available steroid for dogs. these may be used to treat:

• Poor levels of sodium and water retention
• Urinary incontinence, leaking, or dribbling
• Enlarged prostate
• Hormonally responsive tumors

If a vet does decide to prescribe your dog estrogen, they will likely do so at the lowest dose and for the shortest time period possible. That’s because estrogen may induce a syndrome known as estrogen toxicity. When a dog has too much estrogen, they can experience a range of symptoms, including:

• Enlarged vulva, mammary glands, or prostate
• Anemia
• Hair loss
• Abnormal sexual behavior
• Fever
• Poor ability to fight infections
• Depression

Estrogen should never be given to pregnant dogs, as it can result in birth defects.

Progestins

Progestin is another female sex hormone that plays a role in reproduction. It also has a hand in a number of factors surrounding metabolism, like insulin secretion, LDL cholesterol levels, and more.

In dogs, progestin has been used to treat: ⁷

• Aggression
• Urine marking
• Mounting
• Inter-male aggression
• Dwarfism
• Skin conditions

It also may be used in female dogs who are not fixed who have a condition known as pseudopregnancy. In these cases, a dog will show all of the signs of pregnancy, like an enlarged stomach and mammary glands, weight gain, nesting behavior, milk production, and more, despite not actually being pregnant.

Common side effects of progestin steroid for dogs may include:

• Increased thirst
• Weight gain
• Lethargy
• Behavioral changes
• Diabetes
• Uterine infection

Medroxyprogesterone acetate is the most commonly prescribed progestin for dogs.

Androgens

Androgens are a male sex hormone that promote male sexual characteristics in dogs. They are most commonly used as a contraceptive in female dogs who aren’t fixed. Androgen steroids for dogs are able to delay estrus, the scientific word for a female dog’s heat cycle.⁸

The most commonly used androgen steroid for dogs is mibolerone (no longer marketed in the US), a hormone that prevents the production of another hormone required for pregnancy. Mibolerone can cause enlargement of the clitoris, vaginitis, increased activity of skin sebaceous glands, and more.⁹

Side Effects of Steroids

The side effects of steroids for dogs vary greatly depending on the pet and the type of steroid used. While you may expect some behavioral changes like an increase in nervousness, avoidance, and aggression around food, you shouldn’t expect your dog to mutate into a scary monster. Other short-term side effects of steroids for dogs may include weight gain, increased thirst and increased urination.

When used for an extended time period, some steroids may lead to conditions of greater concern, like diabetes, weakened joints, and more. The good news is that veterinarians are well-versed in the serious side effects of long-term steroid use for dogs. They’ll typically prescribe any steroid at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest time possible to deter any long-term effects.

FAQs

How long can dogs be on steroids?

The length of steroid treatment for dogs can vary significantly based on the condition, the steroid used, and other factors. Generally speaking, the longer a dog is on steroids, the greater likelihood of serious side effects. For dogs who are on steroids for months at a time, regular checkups, blood tests, and urine cultures should be performed.

Can steroids make dogs sick?

Depending on the steroid, there can be some side effects like vomiting, lethargy, and weight gain, in addition to more serious concerns like diabetes and Cushing’s disease. You can find potential side effects of each steroid listed above.

Why are dogs treated with steroids?

Dogs can be treated with steroids for a range of purposes:

• To reduce inflammation
• To suppress the immune system
• To supplement hormones that they lack

Final Notes

As with any medication, steroids should only be given to your dog under the guidance of a veterinarian. If you think your dog may benefit from a steroid, talk to your vet. Dutch members get unlimited access to licensed veterinarians from the comfort of their homes. Plus, all Dutch members get free shipping on online pet pharmacy orders. Join Dutch today.