She's recently been on Depo-medrol steroid injections ever 8-12 weeks which cures her for the time, but intervals between itching has become about 6 weeks, and I don't want to keep giving them to her since they can cause diabetes.

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I can't talk about allergies, bit I can share a little about Steroids. Stanley has been on Prednisolone for about 10 months now for inflamation/swelling on his brain. I understand Pred is also given for allergies... He was on pretty high Pred at first and after a couple months, his sugar levels were dangerously high (diabetes levels) and his liver levels were also dangerously high. To the point where the high levels were as dangerous as the brain swelling the pills controlled.

We "played" with the dosage to find a level that controlled his brain swelling long-term (with no symptoms) and also dropped his sugar/liver levels. For the past few months, he's been perfectly "normal" on steroids -- both brain swelling controlled and his other levels "normal" range.

The point is, if you just keep an eye on the levels with regular vet visits, there probably won't be any problems. He was able to go from danger zone to normal levels almost overnight by finding the right dose with the vet. Just keep an eye on it and steroids can be used long term. Of course, if diet change will help, get rid of the steroids if you can. Just don't be too afraid of them if you are keeping an eye on them w/regular blood work with the vet... You'll catch changes in time to correct, most likely...

Just don't do a high dose for very long. In Stanley's case, he can maintain about 2MG once a day safely. He had problems when he had 2MG twice a day. The pills come in 5MG size and I cut them down to 1/3 tablet for each daily dose.
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

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