steroids and moods

[Lernermichelle]

I think it is really different in cats. They actually have a way, way higher tolerance for steroids than humans or dogs do.  The amount of steroids I gave my cats with lymphoma would not be possible, proportionally, to give a human or a dog.  Cats just have a phenomenally high tolerance for them for some reason.  When Simon's oncologist was hesitant at first to do the kind of shots I wanted (dex and dep together), he did some research on how much steroids cats can get and told me that he was astounded at what studies have shown they can handle, like dex shots every day fairly long-term for bad skin conditions.  After reading these studies he said he did not think the dex and dep shots could hurt and gave them, and Simon responded really well. The other thing that happens with humans and dogs, but not cats, from steroids is GI problems like ulcers.  Cats do not tend to get GI reactions to steroids, due to their high tolerance. Michelle   In a message dated 12/15/2005 11:11:34 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I think that is a more accurate way to refer to it, Michelle.  I remember once my hubby was on them for a bad case of poison ivy, and he was like the Tazmanian devil, he was a whirlwind of energy!  On the flip side, he had terrible insomnia while on it.  I also knew someone who took it for an acute asthma episode, and while she was on it, she flew into a rage and threw a knife at her own husband!  She avoided steroid therapy because she knew she became a wild-eyed rather violent, short tempered person on it!   I wonder if in cats it's different, especially if they take high doses for longer periods of time to treat cancer, as it is in Buddha's case.  The euphoria is mainly seen in short term, tapering doses in humans, and peaks with the highest dose and decreases as the dose tapers.      I do believe that cats are very sensitive beings to changes in our energy and mood, especially if we worry or have changes in our stress level.  I feel like they may even be able to smell or detect the chemical changes in our bodies as a reaction to mental stress or anguish.  My opinion, only.  However I do wonder if it is instinct for them to want to be alone when they are not feeling well.     I hope Buddha recovers from this episode and has many happy moments for you to share with him, Chandra.          Sandy Cotton's mom