Risks of Steroid Injections for Cats: Challenges and Management

Steroid injections are used to treat a variety of conditions in cats, ranging from allergies to autoimmune diseases. Although steroids are essential for the treatment of many diseases, they do carry risks and have the potential to cause serious and occasionally life-threatening side effects. Read on to learn more about these risks as well as ways we can minimize them.

What Are Steroid Injections?

Steroids, or corticosteroids, are synthetic versions of hormones produced by the adrenal glands (two small glands that sit on top of the kidneys). Steroid injections are used to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions. They are typically used to reduce inflammation, and in higher doses, they’re used to suppress the immune system to treat autoimmune diseases.

In cats, common conditions that require treatment with corticosteroids include the following:

• Feline asthma
• Certain types of cancers (e.g. lymphoma)
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS)
• Skin allergies
• Eosinophilic granuloma complex
• Immune-mediated conditions causing low red blood cells or platelets

Steroid injections are only given by veterinarians. They can be given under the skin (subcutaneously), into a muscle (intramuscularly), or into a vein (intravenously). There are a number of different steroid injections available, although when we speak about steroid injections for cats, it’s most often the long-acting steroid injection, methylprednisolone acetate, that we’re referring to. Other examples include dexamethasone and prednisolone. These different types of steroids work in similar ways although they vary in strength and duration of action (varying from one to two days to several months).

Do Steroids Come in Other Forms?

Risks and Side Effects of Steroid Injections

While cats appear to tolerate treatment with steroids better than other species do, side effects can occur. It’s important to note that side effects can occur with any form of steroid, not just injections.

Side effects are more likely to occur when steroids are given at high doses for long periods of time. For this reason, long-acting steroid injections are more likely to cause issues than other forms of steroids. To complicate matters further, if a cat experiences side effects after receiving a long-acting injection, the medication can’t be discontinued, nor can the dose be lowered. Once the steroid injection is given, there is nothing a veterinarian can do to reverse the effects except to wait for the steroid to gradually be eliminated from the cat’s system.

Long-acting steroid injections are usually reserved for cats that are difficult to give oral medication to. Many cats refuse to take pills, spit them out, or drool excessively after taking them. Owners risk getting scratched or bitten trying to give medication to an uncooperative cat. In these cases, a veterinarian may choose to give a cat a long-acting injection, such as methylprednisolone acetate (Depo-Medrol) instead of a course of pills.

Ways to Reduce the Risks of Steroid Injections

Most cats can use steroids safely if certain guidelines are followed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a steroid injection stay in a cat’s system?

This depends on the steroid injection given. Different steroid injections have varying durations of actions. For example, prednisolone has a duration of action of 12–36 hours, dexamethasone 36–54 hours, and methylprednisolone acetate 30–60 days.

How long does it take for a steroid injection to work?

The answer depends on the steroid injection used as well as the condition being treated, but generally you should see an improvement in your cat’s symptoms within a few hours to a couple of days of receiving an injection.

Are steroid injections for cats the same as the ones abused by some athletes?

Although they’re both referred to as “steroids”, corticosteroids are different from anabolic steroids that are sometimes abused by athletes. Anabolic steroids mimic the naturally occurring male sex hormones called androgens. These drugs are sometimes used by athletes and bodybuilders to enhance muscle growth and performance.

Conclusion

While cats appear to tolerate steroids better than other species, steroid injections are associated with certain risks and side effects. Side effects are more likely to occur when steroids are given at high doses for long periods of time. For this reason, long-acting steroid injections are more likely to cause issues than other forms of steroids. Where possible, oral steroids should be used instead of long-acting injectables. However, if this isn’t possible, a cat should be screened for diabetes and heart disease before starting treatment. If repeated steroid injections need to be given, then alternative treatments should be explored.

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