Jeannie (Wv) on 05/16/2015
These posts have solved a 10 year mystery for me.
in 2002, I took my Great Dane in for a regular check-up and the vet said he heard a heart murmur. He explained dogs can live a long time with them and it was nothing to worry about. So I didn't...
By 2005, we had moved and I had a new vet. By then, the dog was 9 years old (old for a GD), and having trouble with arthritis. Omega 3 fish oil pills helped for a while. Then, the vet said she could give her cortisone shots but explained, if used over a long period of time, they could cause kidney failure. No other side-effects were mentioned. (The heart murmur was never discussed; I assumed she knew of it because she had listened several times). I decided to take the risk to ease the dog's pain, as she would likely not live long enough for kidney failure to kick in.
She got 3 shots over a period of a few months without any abnormal side effects that I recall. Maybe some extra drinking, but she drank a lot of water anyway. Each time, she perked right up and would prance around like a puppy for 3-4 weeks before starting to slow down again.
When it was time for her 4th shot, there was a substitute vet, as mine was on vacation. Everything went fine in the office. But, when we got home, I took her for her walk and she didn't make it far before she had to lay down. Her back legs had completely given out and she never regained her strength. Lethargy set in, she stopped eating and wouldn't move.
Within five days, I had my regular vet come put her down at home. We both chalked it up to the cortisone just wasn't doing it anymore, but I wasn't fully convinced because she dropped so quickly after the shot.
Looking at pictures later, I realized how much weight she had lost in the course of the regiment. I remembered she had not been weighed as was the usual practice before giving her the shot. So, I thought the substitute vet may have given her an overdose for her size. But I never knew for sure.
Now, I think it was the heart issue, and the cortisone exacerbated any congestive heart failure that may have developed from the murmur. I'll see if my thinks that was a possibility.
Pam (Bristow, Va) on 01/05/2015
My cat starting having uti issues in September and took Orbax. The systems came back in December and she lost some weight. Bloodwork, ultrasound, xrays, etc revealed no known issues. Suggested I take her to a specialist, but she was 16-years-old and didn't make sense to spend another $1,000. No vomiting or diarrhea just some blood in the urine. She started losing weight so the Veterinarian gave her a steroid shot, Dexamethasone to make her hungry and perk her up. She died 5 days later. She had severe vomiting that night and couldn't walk the next day. She couldn't stand to eat out of a food bowl and I had to hold the water bowl for her. She was very disoriented and just became lifeless.
Denise (England) on 01/03/2015
My cat died today 15 minutes after a cortisone shot. I am devastated. Vet never mentioned any risk. Wish I'd seen your website before now.
Christineo (Minneapolis, Mn) on 11/30/2014
I took my cat Lucy to the vet on Friday because she was breathing rapidly and had a noise when she did. She was otherwise fine. Ate, drank, played like normal. I decided to take her in and at 5:30, she received a cortisone and penicillin shot. The vet thought MAYbe asthma, MAYbe pneumonia. Sent me home with a round of steroids and antibiotics to continue beginning 24 hours later for a week.
She was fine when we got home, though the other cats hissed at her per usual when one of them goes to the vet. She was fine at 10pm when I gave her her nightly treats. I woke up the next morning and she was dead. She WOULD HAVE BEEN two years old in January. Devastated!!! I can only think that the penicillin would have caused a reaction within a couple of hours due to the immune system, so I am inclined to think that cortisone was the issue. When I researched death after penicillin, I got a plethora of articles about the cortisone probably being the culprit.
I am devastated to think she was alone when she died. I was with my other cats when put to sleep, but Lucy was so YOUNG and full of vitality! She was the biggest sweetheart ever!! My heart is broken.
Lawrence (Chatsworth Ca) on 08/27/2013
We just recently lost are beloved 8 1/2 year old Yorkie, Mordy. 12-26-2004-7/09/2013 After 1-3 Kenalog Shots yearly from 6 months to 5 years old for skin allergies. Later found to be a food allergy. Was not warned until age 5. Autoimmune reactions from the Kenalog ( Cortisone ) Heartworm pills, excessive Vaccinations, Flea meds, etc. The final trigger was a mistake by a vet tech that gave Mordy 3 Vaccinations, Bordetella, Corona and Provo on the same day on 8/31/2010. Within 24 hrs started drinking excessive amounts of water and then went back to normal after 3-4 days. This was a warning sign along with the mood swings and intolerance to heat, Panting, etc of a Hormone imbalance. Mordy never received another Vaccination, Flea treatment, Heartworm pills, etc for the rest of his life. A Holistic vet said the most likely cause is the excessive Cortisone, Vaccinations, Flea meds, etc that caused a major Hormone imbalance, RISE in Estrogen, Adrenal fatigue, Rise in Cortisol from the Shots. Then Adrenal exhaustion that led to SARDS. With the Hormone imbalance the Body starts attacking itself. Calcium influx into the retinas, GI upset, low IGA, Thyroid levels, etc. After a dog attack on 12/6/2010 Mordys Adrenals went into exhaustion. With in 30 days Mordy started going Blind. Long story short after a MRI in 4/2011 and a IV of Medrol. On the next day Mordy was able to see better. We then started on the wrong daily treatment, Prednisone tabs at to high of a daily dosage. That process through the liver and should never be used. Lowered the daily dosage over a period of 14 days to 1. 5mg daily for a 17lb dog. After 30 days on Pred switched to Medrol at 1. 2mg daily. A more powerful steroid that goes directly into the blood stream but can cause more GI upset. Prednisolone also goes directly into the blood stream and if you have no choice this is the one to use and only at a very low dosage, ( may produce less acid in the GI over Medrol ) and should be taken a min of 30 min after a antacid. A Thyroid Pill must be taken twice daily at the correct dosage to cycle the Steroid out of the body in a 24 hr period. After 60 days on medrol and a 100 days on the Plectner/Levin treatment plan to raise the body's daily cortisol to the normal levels, balance the hormone levels and slowly lower the ESTROGEN, Raise the Thyroid and IGA levels to save some of Mordys Vison and stop the Body from attacking itself, Calcium influx, etc. Mordy devoloped Pancreatitis, 7/2011 A reaction from Medrol a steroid changed to after 30 days of Pred. Mordy had a allergic reaction to the Medrol along with blood sugar issues. After a Plasma transfusion with the help of Dr Dodds we started Mordy on MODUCARE a holistic option, will not raise the Adrenals to the same level. Mordy did well on Moducare, Estrogen was continuing to drop but not to the normal levels, IGA was still below normal at 60, ( Some Dr's feel a IGA under 70 over a extended period of time can led to GI irritation, Cancer, etc ). in late April, 4/2013 Mordy ate some cat poop mistaken it for Chicken droppings next to the bar-b-q and within 24 hrs started drinking excessive amounts of water, Diarrhea, Started giving Edosorb tabs for the Diarrhea. Then in early May, 5/2013 stopped eating took to the Vet. Ran a blood test was in stage 3 Kidney failure. Ran a Ultrasound found a Tumor mass in the Lower GI-Colon. Was on IV fluids daily for 5 days at the hospital. Took Mordy home and started the daily fluids and Kidney Protocol to continue to lower Mordys numbers. Late June 6/2013 Mordy was getting picky on his food choices and on 7/5/2013 stopped eating, Gums were very pale, Anemic. Took Mordy to the Hospital ran another blood test now in stage 4 renal failure. RBC was very low, Anemia set in they feel the tumor was bleeding, Blood in the colon. Two blood transfusion, RBC went up but would not hold. Tried Carafate to stop the bleeding. Surgery was not a option so at 10am on 7/9/2013 we took Mordy home to spend are last day together and had a Dr come to the house at 6:30pm to set Mordy free.
I am not a Dr but after doing alot of research and responses from two top DR's they feel the possible causes are Excessive Vaccinations, Steroids shots, Flea meds, Heartworm etc caused the Hormone imbalance that eventually led to the Adrenal/Hormone imbalance, above normal estrogen, Low IGA that opens the door to Cancer, Kidney/Liver damage, etc.
Moducare really helped Mordy live longer but was not enough to fully balance his Hormone levels.
Now with what I have learned I would have first ran a food allergy test.
HEMOPET.ORG has a Saliva test kit the is very accurate and once you know what foods are causing the issue you can slowing make a change. Grain free can dog food is a safer option over Kibble. Home cooked is a better option along with home made dehydrated Sweet Potatoes that are much better and safer over Processed Beef or chicken strips.
And you can keep Vaccinations to a Min by having a resistance test done first. Then with the help of a Holistic Vet look at all the options first and if needed they can use the lowest dosage possible. You can also get a Rabies exception letter from your vet.
We miss Mordy every day but in the end we know Mordy is in a better place. Playing with my first Yorkie mix that I set free in may 1987.
Look into all the options first. Check the Thorne Research website and Look up ModucareVet. For Allergies and to help balance the immune response.
Maria (Aston, Pa) on 06/02/2013
My baby girl Sophie was 6 yrs old she started limping so I got worried never sick a day in her life took her to the vet on a Sunday they said she had some swelling in her spine not sure exact cause only mricould see everything gave her a shot of rimadyl she came home lethargic, tongue slightly hanging out drooling a bit falling ever time she stood and barely eating, after a few days I started to get real worried after stopping the med she wasn't getting better took her back to the vet and the stupid vet gave her a sot of steroids I have no idea why never explaining anything she left there barely responsive couldn't stand at all drooling so bad it was just pouring out of her mouth we took her back a few hours later she said there was nothing she could do unless she did back surgery that night she started having seizures and I eventually had to put her to sleep sat morning I know that she killed my dog and not one dr would listen they all said it wasn't the drugs it was something else I am having an autopsy done because I feel I killed her by not doing everything possible I miss her so much it is killing me I haven't stopped crying its all I do I close my eyes and see her pretty little face.
Helen (Santa Barbara, Ca) on 02/14/2013
If your cat is suffering and needs a cortisone shot, please make sure you get your cat an ultrasound before you do that. I took my cat for an ear infection and they gave her a cortisone shot that brought out a heart condition that she already had and she was dead in two weeks. BE AWARE OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!!
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