cats handle steroids better than humans and dogs do. and when they are terminal it can be the only thing that makes them feel better. And dexamethasone always seemed to bring Kerry's Bandy's fevers right down. Michelle In a message dated 1/30/2007 11:42:11 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I have severe asthma so I feel like I know a little bit about steroids. Steroids can reduce inflammation while not fighting fever- and at the same time leaving the body unable to properly fight off infection -- that was really my point in this. Long term steroid use can have devastating effects on a body...including osteoporosis, bruising, cataracts...dexamethasone gives me acid reflux so bad that it shoots up and burn the insides of my sinuses (TMI - sorry). Cushing's syndrome is terrible -- caused by long-term steroid use. NSAIDs work by a different mechanism on inflammation...their long-term side effects are quite different...and their effects to surpress fever are quite different. (one dose of aspirin or advil will send me straight to ER - believe me - they work differently) I am painfully aware of the necessary evil of steroids - I am living proof...being able to breathe is something I find to be pretty important...but I respectfully do not believe that steroids reduce fever. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprophen and aspirin and naproxin-sodium) do...but corticosteroids do not reduce fever and can, infact, leave the body more susceptible to conditions that cause fever. elizabeth
