If there ever was a class of drugs that revolutionized both human and veterinary medicine, it would be steroids. Produced naturally by the body and also synthetically by man, steroid hormones are vital to life and can be used therapeutically in a wide variety of useful ways. However, these compounds are among the most misunderstood of all drug groups in the public eye.

Just mention the word "steroid" and images of professional baseball players and muscle bound athletes come to mind. But "steroid" is a general term used to describe biochemical compounds that share similar, yet not necessarily identical biochemical make-ups. In other words, the steroids used by athletes (anabolic steroids) are not the same steroids used to so commonly in veterinary medicine (glucocorticosteroids). Although the chemical make up of two groups are similar, their functions and effects are not.

Glucocorticosteroids belong to a class of steroids known as catabolic steroids. Catabolic steroids have the opposite than those of anabolic steroids, so athletes and body-builders would definitely want to avoid these if looking to increase overall strength and muscle mass.  Familiar glucocorticosteroids include cortisol, hydrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone. Cortisol is a steroid generated naturally by the body, while the others are synthetic derivatives.

Glucocorticosteroids are used in veterinary medicine to treat inflammatory conditions, regulate immune response, and to combat shock. Pet owners know them best for their ability to provide prompt relief from itching and irritation associated with skin allergies. Although glucocorticosteroids can yield excellent results when used, they can't be employed with indiscretion.

For example, because they have the ability to suppress the immune system and delay healing, glucocorticosteroids should be used with caution or avoided altogether in those instances where severe parasitic, fungal, or bacterial disease is present. They should not be administered to pregnant dogs and cats or to those pets undergoing surgery (delayed wound healing) except under special circumstances. And as with other anti-inflammatory medications, glucocorticosteroids can sometimes cause gastrointestinal upset in sensitive individuals.

Long term, indiscriminate use of glucocorticosteroids can have undesirable side-effects. They can cause the pet's adrenal glands to become dormant while they are being administered and if the glands remain that way for a long period of time, they could actually lose their ability to produced natural hormones. If this happens, and the steroid therapy is abruptly discontinued, a life-threatening collapse due to hormone deficiency could result. Also, steroids administered over a long period of time can eventually lead to the development of Cushing's Disease, a serious metabolic condition that can drastically shorten a pet's lifespan.

To avoid these side effects, glucocorticosteroids must be used prudently and intermittently. For instance, if your pet suffers from persistent allergies, talk to your veterinarian about alternatives to steroid treatments that can be temporarily used to provide relief from itching. This will enable your pet's body to "take a rest" from steroid therapy. Then, if needed to provide relief, the latter can be safely reinstated at a later date.

(For examples of these "alternative" therapies, click on  http://www.veterinaryinsider.com/public/109.cfm )