Side effects from Steroid shot

I'm so sorry Zoey is having such a strong reaction to the steroid shot. Going by the info below you might want to get in touch with your vet and let him or her know how bad Zoey is feeling.

Among the this article
http://www.newmanveterinary.com/steroids.html
mentions

(I saved Dr. Newman's article a few years ago when one of my cats was getting steroid shots. I thought and still think it's one of the best articles on steroids.)

And you can find this sentence in this DVM answer:
http://www.justanswer.com/questions/...roid-injection

Hopefully the rest doesn't apply to your Zoey.

I keep thinking about this......and so I'd just like to add that most likely (I think we can in fact be quite sure about this) the reaction you're seeing is the result of drug sensitivity and not anything your vet might have done wrong. (Inappropriate dose or whatever.) Anyway, please do contact your vet as soon as you can.

My kitty Marley has an auto immune disease and has had to get a steroid shot beceuse of a flare up. He acted just like you are describing your cat. He is normally really playful, gets his kitty crazies every night and tears throught the house, he and my dog play all the time. After he got the shot he was mopey to the point of lehtargic. He didn't play a single time for an entire 2 weeks. Like you said though, he ate and drank and eliminated just fine. He would follow me around and when he would sit, his head would hang and he just seemed sad. I talked to my vet and they said it could last a few weeks. It lasted almost exactly 2 weeks, then one day I heard him doing his burrrrtttt in the back of the house and knew he was feeling better, after that within 2 days he was back to his crazy self. I do not like giving steriod shots, he was the complete oposite of his usual self. The shot he got was the Depo. So long story short,it may take a few weeks for her to feel completly normal again.

One of my rescues had to have steroid shots for years because of severe asthma. She didn't have any of the reactions you describe (though she was fairly grumpy anyway so maybe she did and we didn't notice!) The shots did cause significant swelling and weight gain though.

I hope your girl is feeling better today!

abbycats,

Did Zoey get better? My Babs just got a depo-medrol shot 5 days ago and she's still not herself. She just sits there and stares at the wall and isn't cuddly at all. I am so worried! My vet told me to wait a couple of days, and said the shot wasn't causing her behavior, but that's crazy because she was fine before, and immediately after the shot she became very lethargic. How long did it take for your kitty to return to her normal self?

It will take about 3-4 weeks if this is a depo-medrol shot, which is the duration of the shot, provided the vet gave the correct dosage. It also makes them eat a LOT, drink A LOT, and pee a LOT! Please do a lot of research about this drug, as it does have tremendous side effects when used long term - if there is anyways for you to not use it, then don't; but if it is a matter of life or death, then of course use it... For me it was a one time deal, and never again! I HATE that shot.

I pray my cats depression is due to the steroid shot he got 9 days ago. I was getting so worried that I would cry as I sat next to him and knew he wasn't himself. I didn't know what was wrong, especially if he was in any pain and I didn't know it.
Oreo had his first steroid shot in April because of allergies which manifested on his back paws. He was licking them raw. It worked but the licking came back in August, when he had a second shot. I did try giving him Benedryl orally but he had such a violent reaction to the taste that I opted for antibiotics and the shot. The vet said have a few steroid shots a year wouldn't pose any problems. A couple of weeks ago, the licking began again and rather than wait for his foot to get infected again, I took him in. He was also due for his yearly rabies shot and exam so the vet gave him the steroid and rabies shot. He assured me the 2 wouldn't react. About 4 or 5 days later, Oreo became depressed and sad. It was almost an immediate change. He was always playful and enjoyed playing catch. I would say he was a dog in a cat costume. But all that went away last week and I became very concerned. I researched depression and found some very scary articles. If it is the steroid shots, I don't know why this didn't happen the first 2 times he had them. And if it is the shot, why did it happen a few days later? I will most likely call my vet tomorrow but it seems it's a shared side effect by many cats. I can't wait for Oreo to get back to normal, even if it means he terrorizes and chases the other cat.

My female was given the steroid shot instead of antibiotics. She had an inflamed bladder. She is very leary of everyone (yes even me) and trying to catch her twice a day for antibiotics would have been impossible. She then had her shots updated 2 days later. She has been an indoor cat for the past 7 years. Last Tuesday night she managed to get out while the trash was being taken out. I haven't seen her since. Before that she seemed fine. Infact she seemed friendlier and happier. Of course it has been raining here and cold. I have been out every morning and evening looking for her. I even got a trap from animal control. I have caught all the strays and a raccoon. I put food out but I know the strays are eating it.

When I called my mom to tell her this weird disappearing act, she said she had a cat who was given this shot. The cat suffered a stroke, got out and never came home.

If at all possible I would not subject a cat to this steroid shot. I know I will never give any of my cats a steroid shot again.

I hope and pray your cat returns home, safe and sound. My heart breaks to think of her out there and for your suffering.

Stinkie has a skin disease and I use to allow the steroid shots for him. But after doing research online and finding out that it could shorten their life I haven't let the vet give him one since then. When I asked the vet about it, he did not deny this fact. I do have some trouble controlling his skin problem but I am just afraid to allow any more steroid shots.

my cat got a steriod shot because his paw was swelling and he had allergies....well the steriod shot it supposed to make a cat eat more but this time he wont eat at all he only drinks! we have to force feed him beacuse he has lost over a pound (10% of his body weight) from not eating and we are worried about his liver or kidneys failing. His next vet appointment is not till friday and its sunday. any suggestions? please

Several of my cats have had to have steroid shots before (Depo Medrol) and the only side effect I saw was increased appetite. One of my cats has had several of them due to his ongoing allergy/EGC issues, and he hasn't shown any other side effects that I know of. The only thing that's been different is he has been more affectionate but that occurs whenever he has a flare-up even without the steroid shot.

I don't have any experience with the Depo shot. But am interested in hearing what other's experience have been after the shot. I am thinking of asking the vet about this for Pipsqueak due to his terrible Folliculitis on his chin. Vet appt. tomorrow. From what I have read, Depo will make the kitties feel better and eat well and will help control skin swelling/infection.

My vet once gave 1 of my cats a steroid shot. She was completely changed. She looked like a zombie just laying around all the time. She didn't want to play or do anything but eat and sleep. She would just stare at nothing. I would say that being lethargic is one of the side effects even though my vet said it wasn't. Don't know about the twitching though but my cat really looked drugged and I felt so bad for doing that to her. NEVER again!

side effects of steroids

My cat Angel used to get pimples on his chin. I read that the toxins released from plastic will cause this. I replaced his bowl with a ceramic one & he hasn't had the problem sense! I would try that before anything else. In the meantime, just put a lot of peroxide on a cotton round, & gently clean his chin every day to help clear it up.

It's the safest thing you can use. If it's really bad, after the peroxide, you can use a little neosporin, just be sure not to get it close to his mouth where he can lick it.

"Good luck, & I hope this was helpful!"  :)

 

In humans, steroids often cause depression and moody or grumpy so I see no reason why a kitty wouldn't be susceptible to these side effects as well.  You just have to let the meds run their course and get out of your system after you've taken them, so I'm sure it's the same for a kitty.  I hope your kitty is back to normal soon!

In regards to  the steroid shots, there may be other things your Vet can try. I had to take Angel in today because he had a flea allergy dermatitis break out all down his spine. (Even though he is on the Advantage multi & has never had this before).  The Vet gave him some Prednisolone (5mg) & some Simplicef (100mg)  to get some relief. He has had this before when he was chewing spots on his tummy, and it was helpful.  After reading the awful reviews from everyone, I was so glad that he didn't have to get a steroid shot!!  I hope this info. is helpful. Take care!