Can steroids affect my dog's biopsy for inflamed intestines?

Question

My dog has inflamed intestine. She has not appetite and went through vomiting & diarrea - páncreas - was controlled w treatment). But still intestines inflamed. Dr gave us 2 options: biopsy (2 look 4 cancer) or steroid treatment if IBD. She said if we do steroid we can't come after for biopsy cuz it won't show accurate results. Can we wait a month or 2 after steroid treatment 2 see if works & then do a biopsy in case the steroid didn't work? My dog will be 14 yo in April (7lb Yorkie) :-(. Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Female | spayed | 13 years and 8 months old | 7.5 lbs

Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH · Accepted Answer

I'm so sorry that you are dealing with this with Cosita. Thank you for including a picture. She is adorable. I am attaching a link below to a handout on IBD. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=598 The end of that handout specifically addresses your concern. The problem with doing steroids is that it decreases the inflammation in the intestines and will likely make Cosita feel better, but if her disease is due to cancer (lymphoma), putting her on prednisone will make it harder to diagnose and treat her cancer later. "Lymphoma is temporarily responsive to prednisone but better responses can be obtained from stronger chemotherapy agents. Exposure to prednisone will make the lymphoma much more difficult to diagnose should biopsies be obtained later. Plus, exposure to prednisone can lead to resistance to other medications. (This is less of a problem for cats, but in dogs even a few days of prednisone can make a lasting remission impossible to achieve.)" There is nothing wrong with starting her on steroids, but you have to understand that it will limit your treatment and diagnostic options in the future if the steroids do not help. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and answers your questions. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Can steroids affect my dog's biopsy for inflamed intestines?

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