My dog has steroid side effects and gaining weight. Can I stop early?

Question

My dog has been on a steroid for three weeks now. He still has one week left of the “every two days” dosage but he has had every side effect (prolonged urination, constant thirst/hunger, and some panting). He is starting to gain a lot of weight and I want to take him off the steroid but he has four pills left. Is this ok? I’m afraid he’ll become diabetic. Pet's info: Dog | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | Male | neutered | 2 years and 7 months old | 35 lbs

Ana M, DVM · Accepted Answer

Thank you for your question regarding Kaner. I would recommend finishing off the course of steroids as directed for two reasons. First off, you want to complete the treatment regimen for which they were prescribed so the underlying disease does not recur. Secondly, it is necessary to taper steroids. When a dog takes them orally, their body doesn't need to make them. The gradual taper off signals the body to start making them again. If you stop steroids abruptly, the dog can become sick. The side effects are definitely frustrating, but will decrease as the dose is reduced and finally stopped. As far as diabetes, it is unlikely given the length of time Kaner has been on the steroids. I see this side effect much more frequently in cats. I hope this information helps and that Kaner is back to normal soon!

My dog has steroid side effects and gaining weight. Can I stop early?

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